FGCU committee approves 2027–28 general education course list after amending summary about sociology removal

At its June 2 virtual meeting, the Academic/Student/Faculty Affairs Committee reviewed and approved Florida Gulf Coast University's Academic Year 2027–2028 general education course list, approving minor revisions to learning outcomes and adding five new humanities and communication courses.

Provost Debbie Thorne said the annual review is required by the State University System and summarized modest wording changes and the addition of five courses. Trustee Derek Lura objected to a line in the executive summary stating that "one course was later removed at the request of faculty," saying the sociology course was removed in response to action by the Board of Governors, not at faculty request.

Provost Thorne confirmed that the Board of Governors voted in March 2026 to remove sociology from state general education curriculum requirements and agreed to reflect appropriate wording in the executive summary to accurately state FGCU’s actions. Trustee Lura moved approval of the general education course list as amended; Trustee Joseph Fogg seconded, and the committee approved the motion by unanimous voice vote.

Chair Robbie Roepstorff said the committee will recommend the amended report to the full Board at the June 9 meeting. The committee record did not provide a detailed breakdown of the five new courses beyond noting they are in humanities and communication, nor did it list the precise language that will replace the disputed sentence.