She said that the declaration of a major during freshman year is unnecessary because the major requirements are "structured so that students need not declare a major in their first semester or year."
Nathans also mentioned that it is important for students to be exposed to many opportunities in order to make an informed decision. "Liberal arts institutions such as BC offer courses not available at even the best secondary schools. … Many students have never sampled some fields," she said.
Another concern that was expressed by Nathans was that students are often unready to make a decision about their field of study during their senior year of high school, and others may be convinced to make a choice based on family and social pressures. "We want people to make choices that they are happy with. We want them to make decisions that are genuinely theirs," she said.
Programs will be run throughout the spring to help students explore the numerous options available to them at Boston College. There will be seven programs in February alone, including four panels focused on deciding among the different disciplines.
While the major designations will be wiped clear in February, students will not have to make further decisions about their major status until fall registration in April. According to the letter, all freshmen in A&S will have to make one of three choices before fall registration: to remain undeclared, to reaffirm their original choice, or to declare a different major.
Declarations can be delivered in person at Student Services or e-mailed to the address found in the letter.
Additionally, advisers will remain the same for all freshmen until the end of the year. Afterward, if a new major is declared, the student will receive a new adviser for the following academic year.
"Inertia is a very powerful thing. We can't force people to think about their choices," said Nathans. "We want to make it as easy and open as possible for students to make the right decision about what they're good at and, in BC terms, what gives them joy."
Spring Break
