The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is a student-centered and diverse learning community that engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Created in July 2004, CLAS is the largest of GVSU's colleges and offers almost 50 bachelors degrees (and a growing number of advanced degrees) in the natural and mathematical sciences, humanities, the fine and performing arts, and the social sciences. GVSU undergraduates in all fields build the foundation for their major studies in general education courses offered by our College.

Mission

What is the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' reason for being?

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a student-centered and diverse learning community that engages in critical inquiry extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life.

Vision

What is the desired future for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences?

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will set a standard of excellence in liberal education. We will prepare our students to be responsible citizens, productive professionals, and lifelong learners with global perspective. We will foster a diverse community of inquiry, discourse, discovery, expression and reflection.

Value Statements

What are the core values for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences that guide our actions and priority-setting?

We value excellence in liberal education facilitated through active student-teacher engagement and academic achievement supported by appropriate class size and a high proportion of permanent faculty.We believe in the value of intellectual inquiry and discourse fostered by an engaged and diverse community of learners which rests upon academic freedom, integrity, collaboration, and collegiality.

Access to a quality education for a broad range of students.

Excellence in a broad range of scholarly and artistic activities supported by appropriate resources.

University and community service valued for its contribution and effectiveness.

Student development as citizens in a democratic society and as members of the global community of the 21st century.

 

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Scholarly & Creative Achievement of the College (2009)  
PDF

Quadrennial Report on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, 2004-2008 
Pages Cover through 14     Pages 15-Back cover   (large files, PDF)

Our on-going work on diversity and inclusion.

For a listing of the Departments, programs within departments, institutes and centers that make up the College, click here.

Organizational Chart of the CLAS College Office with departments, centers and institutes that report to the dean.

Bylaws for CLAS Faculty Governance