Reporter

Beginning fall 2016, CSU Bakersfield will no longer require its students to have a minor for any of its major courses, potentially eliminating four classes students would not need.

The minor change was proposed by CSUB’s Academic Senate because they wanted to give students the choice of whether or not to have a minor, according to CSUB program director Dr. Jackie Kegley.

“Some students do not have any idea of what they want for a minor or they just tack something on,” said Kegley. “So this makes it more optional, and they can sit down with an adviser and see will this [minor] look good for their career goals.”

However, this option will not affect all students. The minor option will not be grandfathered into the older catalog years so current students have to keep their minors.

“For example, the school of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, they don’t have minors with their degrees, because [NSME] already takes a lot of courses, so they don’t really have a lot of room,” said Kegley.

These students felt bad for their peers who have to have minors.

“I never had a minor, but I see how that could suck if you had to take one,” said biology major Lesley Chavez, 20.

The students who were affected directly, like those in the Social Sciences and Education department were upset the switch came so late.

“What if you wanted to graduate on the tenth, but since you had to do your minor you have to take four more classes, and now you must graduate later messing up your whole plan,” said psychology major Bianca Tabera, 19.

Even political science alum Jovani Jimenez felt they needed to speak up about the change.

“It’s better for new students,” said Jimenez, 24. “If you have a minor that will help you in your career, then you have the option for a minor, but most of the minors here are just profit making for the school. It’s good for new students but as [alumni’s] the system already screwed us over, there’s nothing left we can do about it.”

Although students may feel cheated, Kegley reminds them to remember the advantages to having a minor.

“The important thing is, it does appear on your transcript if you choose to [have a minor], and later, wherever you go people will say this person has a major in this field but he has a minor in this field; that means he is more broadly-based,” said Kegley

Kegley also believes the biggest benefit from making minors an option is the freedom students will be receiving when choosing an academic plan that works for them.

“[Students benefit] by giving them a choice and not forcing them to do something that does not seem useful, but also by making them aware that this may be a useful option,” said Kegley. “Not forcing, but saying you might want to consider this, then let them decide.”