Noteworthy is that the programs have proven to be as stimulating and challenging for the faculty members who participate in them as they have been for enrolling students. The articles in this issue of Notes describe what it is like to teach in the College of Liberal Studies, give some information about its programs and students, and provide an overview of its recently revised curriculum. Teaching in the College College of Liberal Studies faculty, consisting of approximately 100 members, come from different departments, schools, and colleges within the University of Oklahoma. Most hold full-time appointments in their academic unit, but they also take the time to serve on the liberal studies faculty and receive overload payment for their service. In order to be appointed to the College of Liberal Studies, faculty members must have a terminal degree in their subject area, at least one year of teaching experience at OU, and approval by the college's executive committee.
Faculty members are free to choose the degree of involvement they want to have within the college.
According to Dean William Maehl, faculty members take part in the college for many reasons. Faculty members enjoy working with adult learners because these students are often more motivated and interested in their studies than younger counterparts in traditional degree programs. The interdisciplinary nature of the core studies is also attractive to many professors who feel restricted by the limits of their own subject area. Many faculty members welcome the opportunity to work with professors from different academic areas and to try out innovative ideas in the liberal studies seminars. Faculty members find the team-teaching aspects of the BLS and MLS seminars one of the most interesting parts of the program, Maehl notes.