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Sam Dunaway | News Editor<\/span><\/p>\n Western is currently the only public university in Oregon that requires a minor for all students. However, beginning fall 2018, many students will have the opportunity to opt out of a minor while still working toward obtaining 180 credits. <\/span><\/p>\n This policy was proposed and approved by Faculty Senate, a representative group of faculty members who oversee the development of curriculum and strive to improve the learning environment for Western students. <\/span><\/p>\n The proposal for this policy change stated that required minors place a burden on many students, particularly transfer students, exploratory majors and individuals with military credit. Minors can create a barrier to graduation in four years and often result in students taking more than the required 180 credits.<\/span><\/p>\n Erin Baumgartner, senator and professor of biology, explained that the minor was created so that students can build a broad foundation of knowledge in multiple subject areas. But according to the policy change proposal, less than 40 percent of Western student graduates from 2013 to 2016 minored in a field that was significantly different from their major. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe minor was no longer doing what we originally intended it to do,\u201d commented Baumgartner.<\/span><\/p>\n Have no fear <\/span>\u2014<\/span> minors aren\u2019t completely going away. Instead, specific majors within departments will decide whether or not to keep a required minor for their students. Other students may choose to declare a minor if they wish. Students without a minor must still complete 180 credits for graduation, but they have more flexibility in the classes they choose to take.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFor many students, they are now going to have access to a set of credits that previously would\u2019ve been part of a required minor,\u201d Baumgartner explained. \u201cA lot of students may still choose to do a minor \u2026 Now, they have a little bit more autonomy in making that choice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This policy change doesn\u2019t only affect incoming freshman. All Western students have the choice to switch to the 2018 catalog year requirements by filling out a form in the registrar\u2019s office. This may allow upperclass students to opt out of a previously required minor. <\/span><\/p>\n The committee hopes that this change will be positive for students. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNo one will delay their graduation because they didn\u2019t finish minor requirements,\u201d Faculty Senate Vice President Paul Disney remarked. <\/span><\/p>\n Baumgartner mentioned, \u201cI think all of us are going to reexamine our minors and think about <\/span>\u2014<\/span> What are we offering in these minors that will really be meaningful and attractive to students and really add value to their degrees? … It gives us a chance to reflect and engage in that continuous improvement that\u2019s really important to offering the best possible programs we can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n