By Kelsi Peace, Staff Writer
The number of undeclared students for this semester has encouraged faculty and staff who have been assisting students in selecting a major.
In 2001, 293 students had not declared a major; this semester only 145 students are undeclared.
This year’s statistics prove that last year’s 147 undeclared students was not an anomaly.
The improvement is significant: declaring a major early in one’s college career increases the probability of graduating in four years, which in turn decreases student debt.
In 2006, the four-year graduation rate is the highest on record: 37.3 percent.
Dr. Charles Mattis, dean of the First-Year Program, said a Christian education is a costly investment. It is ACU’s responsibility, Mattis said, to help students make decisions about their majors and careers.
Ideally, Mattis said, students can identify a major before entering college with the help of Passport and career fairs; however, many students do not do this.
Once at ACU, students possess many resources: the Office of Career and Academic Development, the Graduate Success Development Team, the Discovery Program, the Office of Admissions, the Registrar’s Office, University Seminar, department chairs, degree plan specialists, and academic advisors.
Mattis said the sophomore year is vital, which makes the end of students’ freshman year the targeted time for help. Those who have not declared a major are encouraged to enroll in the one-credit-hour Discovery Course, which offers additional career assessment.
University Seminar also offers help to undecided students as they write the required career paper and research their interests.
Before selecting a major, Mattis said, students must know themselves and know their goals.
Mattis said he realizes this is no easy task.
“Students are paralyzed by the enormity of the choice,” he said.
However, Mattis emphasized that “not all who wander are lost,” and said efforts made are intended to help students, not cause undeclared students discomfort.
He said all types of students have difficulty selecting a major – whether the problem is because of multiple interests or perceived pressure.
“We are offering students help to understand their calling and how they can best serve in the kingdom,” Mattis said.
Students should not feel pressured to choose simply to make a decision.
Students today do not face a different or more difficult challenge when declaring a major, Mattis said. The difference is the likelihood that students today will change careers or employers several times.
Mattis said he applauds the efforts made “across the board” to equip students to make decisions.
While departments such as the OCAD and the First-Year Program offer assistance, involvement by department chairs helps students declare a major as well.
Dr. Joe Cardot, chair of the Communication Department, said determining what is best for the student is the most important. Cardot said he would prefer that a student leave his department for a more suitable major than leave ACU or dislike a career.
“Work is too much work to hate it,” Cardot said.
In the Communication Department, a promotional DVD is offered along with informational literature to interested students. Fundamentals of Communications, a required course, has a career day to help students explore options in the field.
Dr. Nancy Shankle, chair of the English Department, meets with students considering an English major.
“I describe the kinds of classes they will take, but I also tell them about career opportunities in English … once students know about their options, they can make better decisions about their major,” Shankle said.
Most departments attribute the success of helping students declare a major to the personal involvement of the faculty, including Dr. Glenn Pemberton, chair of the Bible, Missions, and Ministry Department.
“In our department, whatever success has taken place in this area is due to the efforts of individual professors who work with students in the U-100 class and who formally and informally advise and mentor students,” Pemberton said.
As students continue to declare a major at the beginning of their college careers, Mattis said, he hopes four-year graduation rates will also increase.
