Traditionally, all students with fewer than 56 credits are considered no preference majors. Although they might know what major they want to declare, they cannot technically do so until they reach 56 credits. The new policy would have colleges assume responsibility for students at the end of their first year rather than their second.

Administrators say the change would give students more flexibility, allowing them to start working with a specific college at a younger age.

“It’s not an attempt to force students to make a decision at an earlier time,” Acting Provost June Youatt said during the Steering Committee meeting Tuesday. ”(It’s) an opportunity for students who know what they want to do to declare a major and affiliate with a college.”

Like the current policy, the proposal would not require the declaration of a major until a student reaches 56 credits; but it also would allow admission to limited enrollment programs when all prerequisite requirements are met, providing the student has at least 28 credits.

Right now, all except four of the university’s colleges admit students at 56 credits. The proposed policy would retain the admissions practices of these colleges, namely the College of Music, the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, James Madison College and Lyman Briggs College.

Youatt said the policy revision would provide more continuity in advising, allowing students to consult with specific college advisors to drop courses and complete other actions instead of with general advisors.

If enacted, the policy would increase the number of students who use advisors in their respective colleges. Although this would require most colleges to hire an additional advisor, UUD advisors would have the opportunity to give more intensive advising to students who have not yet decided on a major.

“This will facilitate students who at 28 credits know (what they want their major to be),” Steering Committee chairperson Sue Carter said. “That advisor in the college can be more hands-on and help provide direction that will lead toward graduation. (Students will have knowledge) of who they are going to, and (can) deal with people who have been tracking them from a year earlier.”

The revised policy would allow students who are eager to enter their college a chance to do so, while still giving students who are unsure the opportunity to explore and have more time to decide. Students who declare a major at 28 credits will have access to courses that were previously reserved for students who had achieved 56 credits.

“It’s very reasonable. What’s nice about it is it’s not required,” said Mitchell Goheen, ASMSU vice president of academic affairs.

The revision was referred to the University Committee on Undergraduate Education.