Cole Rogers wants to increase the general education cultural diversity requirements from three to six credit hours.

The change would not add credit hours to the graduation requirement, but would instead require six of the already nine needed credits in the humanities section to be culturally aware.

The Council on Academic Affairs will vote on Rogers’ proposal at 2 p.m. today in Room 4440 of Booth Library.

If approved the proposal will not affect currently enrolled students. The first class to take the required six hours would be the incoming freshman and transfer class of 2009.

The Student Senate voted against the proposal 11-12, with two abstentions on Feb. 13.

Student Senate members expressed concerns with enough class sections being offered, enough faculty being available to teach the classes and with students being able to fulfill the obligation.

In February, Rogers said the Student Senate’s job was not to determine how many classes needed to be available.

“My point about it not being Student Government’s job to put in more sections is that, if it is necessary, the CAA will add sections and amount of classes needed,” Rogers said.

Even though the Student Senate voted down the proposal, Rogers can propose the change to CAA.

“The resolution that was voted down by senate is only a recommendation and I am by no way (bound) to that recommendation,” Rogers said. “I am still allowed to move forward with the proposal. The decision to make the change is up to Council of Academic Affairs.”

CAA can either vote for the change, vote against it or send it back to the senate where they would research, modify and represent it.

“The requirement has not been discussed or revamped since its inception,” Rogers said.

Even though the proposed change wouldn’t affect him, Phil Sitter, a freshman, is still opposed to the proposal.

“I think we have enough general education requirements, we don’t need anymore,” Sitter said. “I mean. I didn’t even get to take any classes that were in my major because I had to do all gen-ed stuff.”

Nursing majors and Alissa Roberts and Camille Bejar say even though they have hectic schedules, they think the proposal is a good idea.

“I think it’s a good idea, even though it won’t affect me, to encourage diversity,” Roberts said.

“I agree,” Bejar said, “some people can be very closed-minded when it comes to diversity.”

In February, some professors expressed their concern with the proposed change.

Peter Andrews, department chair for the mathematics and computer science department, said he would be concerned about transfer students entering his department who may be unaware of the new requirement.

“I’m a little worried about our teacher certification students,” Andrews said. “(They) have about a one-class leeway and they would have to be more careful.”

Chris Gadja can be reached at 581-7942 or at cmgadja@eiu.edu.