University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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A Dionne Thrower reads over her application for a special joint degree pro- gram. Double majors were not as easy to pursue at the University compared to other institutions. photo by Sharonda Ayers t the end of the 1998-99 school year, the College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA) finally decided to give its students what the college had been lacking: the opportunity to receive a minor. Most universities had offered minor programs for years, but the board of LSA thought the issue required more exploration. After faculty debate and student input, LSA officially approved minors. LSA sophomore Katie Schmitt said, I think it ' s great. It allows students to widen their possibilities and explore several areas of study. To most, the decision was long overdue. Many students found it frustrating to have to limit their focus. Casandra Cushman, a junior political science and English major, said, I think minor programs are necessary. People come in here with many different interests, and minors allow them to concentrate on more than one subject without the pressure of a double major. It makes us well-rounded. Why should anyone have to limit themselves to one thing? The process of getting departments to offer minors was slow. The University website regarding minors only listed a few depart- ments as active participants. Junior psychology major Jessica Quinlan said, A great idea isn ' t so great when hardly anyone participates. The available minors are in really odd subjects, and the more popular departments need to open up to the program. Many departments had already decided that they were not going to offer minors, but student pressure left things in a state of uncertainty. LSA sophomore Erica Peterson thought, You should get recognition for broad studies, no matter what the department is. If a student focused on English as well as their declared concentration, then they should be able to get a minor in English, no questions asked. The minor program was slow in its implementation and many younger students would not know if they had qualified for a minor until closer to their graduation. This made it difficult for students to plan their courses since they often did not know what the requirements for minors were. Departments were in the process of outlining the minor course plans, and many students did not know they had qualified until after the fact. Departments, however, argued that outlining any new degree program at a major university was a complex task and required more time to determine which courses would make a student eligible. Katy Wood, a junior political science major, said, I wish they had started this sooner, because it would have changed a lot of things. I understand that this will take time, it ' s just too bad for the older students. But better late than never! by Jessica Coen Michigan Life 23

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A student studies for his classes at Cava Java, located inside the Michigan Union. The addition of minors to the LSA curriculum allowed students to focus their elec- tives on a common subject. photo by Bobby Green Students gather before class to socialize. One topic students had to talk about was the school of LSA allowing students to elect a minor, a choice not previously offered by the University. photo by Sharonda Ayers r - A Spanish major par- ticipates in a class activity during the fall semester. Foreign languages were popular concentra- tions for both majors and minors. photo by Sharonda Aycrs 22 + Academic Ni ' p.o:

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Pedestrians thumb through books on display outside Borders Books and Music on East Liberty Street. Local merchants transported items outside their stores to bring their product closer to consumers passing by. photo by Ashley Rice University alum Chris Lauckner sells pictures and postcards on the corner of North University and State Street. Lauckner graduated with a B.S. in design, and opened his stand nine years ago. photo by Ashley Rice J K:: ' On an unseasonably warm October afternoon, Steven Jacobs operates his stand called Jacobs ' Corner. Located on State Street by the Union, it offered hot dogs, chips, ice cream, and pop. photo by Ashley Rice r Hurnor Jj i 24 Sidewalk Sale li v.;