2008 Woodie Awards
Committee proposes multi-major limits
Zamir Ahmed
Issue date: 3/14/07 Section: News
Members of the faculty discussed a proposal to restrict the number of majors and minors students can declare, and when they can declare them, at the monthly faculty meeting on Monday. The proposal drew immediate objections from faculty members of smaller departments who felt that the strategy would hurt their ability to attract students who become interested in a field as juniors or even seniors.
The proposal, which was introduced by the Educational Affairs Committee (EAC) and calls for the elimination of triple majors, stems from recommendation number 37 of the College's Strategic Plan and is aimed at taking pressure off the curriculum and faculty. The measure would allow students to declare at most two majors without the option for a minor or one major with at most two minors.
"We felt that the faculty was almost unanimous in wanting to eliminate the triple major to work towards reducing some credentialing," said Baldwin Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy Pete Schumer, a member of the EAC. In his presentation of the bill to the faculty, Schumer said that the proposal will "add a little bit of structure to what students can choose as far as majors and minors, to allow departments to plan ahead in a more timely fashion."
Some members of the faculty took issue with the scope of the proposed limitation on majors and minors.
"If the purpose here is to eliminate the possibility of a triple major, which is one of the rare occurrences, then it seems like a big flyswatter for a small fly," said Cut C. and Else Silberman Professor of Jewish Studies Robert Schine.
Faculty members also objected to a proposed change in the deadline for officially declaring majors and minors. Under the EAC's measure, all students would have to officially declare a major by the end of their fourth semester of study at the College, while all minors would have to be declared by the end of the sixth semester of study.
"Currently our regulations state that students must declare a major by the end of their third semester," said Schumer. "This does not replace that but forces students by their fourth semester that want to add a second major [to do so]. This doesn't allow students, most importantly, to declare a major or second major for the first time when they return to campus in their senior year."
The proposal, which was introduced by the Educational Affairs Committee (EAC) and calls for the elimination of triple majors, stems from recommendation number 37 of the College's Strategic Plan and is aimed at taking pressure off the curriculum and faculty. The measure would allow students to declare at most two majors without the option for a minor or one major with at most two minors.
"We felt that the faculty was almost unanimous in wanting to eliminate the triple major to work towards reducing some credentialing," said Baldwin Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy Pete Schumer, a member of the EAC. In his presentation of the bill to the faculty, Schumer said that the proposal will "add a little bit of structure to what students can choose as far as majors and minors, to allow departments to plan ahead in a more timely fashion."
Some members of the faculty took issue with the scope of the proposed limitation on majors and minors.
"If the purpose here is to eliminate the possibility of a triple major, which is one of the rare occurrences, then it seems like a big flyswatter for a small fly," said Cut C. and Else Silberman Professor of Jewish Studies Robert Schine.
Faculty members also objected to a proposed change in the deadline for officially declaring majors and minors. Under the EAC's measure, all students would have to officially declare a major by the end of their fourth semester of study at the College, while all minors would have to be declared by the end of the sixth semester of study.
"Currently our regulations state that students must declare a major by the end of their third semester," said Schumer. "This does not replace that but forces students by their fourth semester that want to add a second major [to do so]. This doesn't allow students, most importantly, to declare a major or second major for the first time when they return to campus in their senior year."
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