Last updated on Apr 15, 2021
By Shelley Dean, Staff Writer
The University will be doing away with academic minors, making it so students will only be able to graduate with one or more majors. Rumors of the new changes had been circulating around campus for some time, before being confirmed by Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Randy Burd.
“LIU is committed to delivering an exceptional learning experience featuring in-demand degree programs with an emphasis on peer-student interaction, faculty expertise, and providing a competitive career advantage,” Burd said. “Based on current demand, we are enhancing the student experience by expanding new majors to replace certain minors and enabling students to efficiently pursue double majors which provide a competitive advantage in the career marketplace over those with a major and a minor. Students currently enrolled in a minor can continue to complete their minor.”
This is the first statement that has touched on the rumor, and no official word has been provided to the general student body. Incoming prospective students have been informed of the new policy.
Students currently pursuing minors have been worried that this new policy will affect their education. This new policy will only affect incoming students, all currently enrolled students will be able to keep their minors.
Freshman veterinary technology major Victoria Kefalas was upset to hear this news. She had planned on declaring an equine studies minor.
“When I heard I wasn’t able to declare a minor I was frustrated as to why and reasoning behind it,” Kefalas said.
Kefalas has talked to upperclassmen on campus, and believes she could carry the workload of the minor. Due to this change, Kefalas would be taking equine courses for fun, but it would not show up on her diploma.
“A reason I came to LIU is because I had the option to do both instead of just having a major,” junior musical theatre major and communications minor Jade Leah Burns said.
Burns has always been involved in both areas of her study. She recalls participating in photography, announcements and theatre all throughout her high school career and beyond.
“It seems like the opinions of students aren’t taken into consideration,” Burns said.
Burns had heard the talk surrounding minors and worries that it will personally affect her. Luckily for Burns, she will be grandfathered into her minor, as one of the last communication minor classes.
Burns has speculated on why the campus would make this decision, and has settled on a monetary reason. “Everything is driven by money at this school,” Burns said.
Burns recalls seeing programs cut and has watched people get pushed out of their areas of study. She also mentions how the dorms on campus have not been updated and wishes some money would go toward renovations.
Freshman directing major and philosophy minor Thomas Rowell agrees with Burns on this. “I understand wanting to save money, but not taking opportunities away from students,” Rowell said.
Rowell has just declared a philosophy minor and is already enrolled in classes needed to fulfill those credits. Rowell missed the cutoff, allowing them to keep their minor by one semester.
“I love discussing the ideas and having deep conversations that come with the classes as well as I feel like it’s a useful tool for my goals as a theatre artist,” Rowell said.
Rowell plans to apply the education offered from both the major and minor towards a future career path. Luckily with this education plan, this is something Rowell can easily pursue.
Rowell has never before heard of a college not having minors and wants to get a strong message across to the school.
“LIU start talking to your students; we’re paying far too much to go here for you to not explain why you’re taking away our opportunities,” Rowell said.
Both Burns and Rowell get to keep their minors, being some of the last few students to be able to do so.
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