University Proposes Minor Change

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   The University of Arkansas at Monticello recently proposed a decrease in the amount of hours required for a student to complete their minor, from 24 hours to 18. 

   Provost David Ray attended a Arkansas Department of Higher Education meeting and asked how many of the universities required 24 hours for their minors, and at that point, none of them required that many. 

   "We just kind of allowed this to creep up on us," Ray said. "That got me to thinking that this would give students a greater opportunity to have more flexibility with their schedule."

   According to the provost, John Annulis, dean of the school of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, went to chairpersons of other math units around the state and took a look at their minors. Most required 18 to 20 hours, but none had as many as UAM's 24-hour requirement. 

   In the past legislation session, ACT 1014 required better advising at the collegiate levels. It allows students to finish in eight semesters. 

   An 18-hour minor will assist students working toward a degree in eight semesters. State legislature requires all universities to develop programs of study for most of their programs to allow completion of a degree in eight semesters. The Academic Council approved this proposal Aug. 31.  

    "There will be exceptions to what classes we can offer in eight semesters such as some music and forestry courses, but we're working towards implementing this program," Ray said. "This will help advisers."  

   The proposal will not require any division or school to reduce their minor to 18 hours but will set a reduced minimum. The current requirement that minors and collaterals must include at least nine hours of 3000-4000 level course work does not change.  

   Michael Cravens, president of the Student Government Association, said he understood that the individual departments must change their requirements, so it will not affect current students. 

   "When the individual departments change their policy, it will help comply with the law to get a major in eight semesters," he said. 

   Junior Amanda Haught said it would only provide the opportunity to do a little more. 

   "Keep in mind it didn't change anything yet," she said. "Each department will have to decide if they want to have a minor that is 18 hours. They can have more required for each minor, but they can have as few as 18 if they choose." 

   Sophomore Jordan Thompson said she felt like the change is a good one and that it will encourage more people to minor in different areas.  

   "As it was before, a minor would cause someone to have to possibly stay in school for an extra year," she said. "This way, a summer or two will make it easier for those who want to have a minor but didn't previously have the time." 

Current Listing in Catalog:

• pages 90 - 93. A comprehensive major or a major of a at least 30 hours and a minor of at least 24 hours.
• page 92 – When approved by the major adviser and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, an individualized, interdisciplinary and/or collateral area of study of not less than 24 hours may be offered in lieu of a minor.

New Listing for Catalog:

• page 90 – 93. A comprehensive major or a major of at least 30 hours and a minor of at least 18 hours.
• Page 92 – When approved by the major adviser and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, an individualized, interdisciplinary and/or collateral area of study of not less than 18 hours may be offered in lieu of a minor. Note: All catalog references to the 24 hours minimum are to be replaced with the 18 hours required minimum for a minor or collateral.

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