Switching majors in college is as commonplace as purchasing sweatpants or pulling an all-nighter for a chemistry exam, and universities around the nation have adopted different policies to ease this process for students.
Purdue University, for example, is one of several colleges that helps students to simplify this transition by allowing them to drop previous courses they have taken that do not contribute to the major they have decided to switch to studying.
This policy has been in effect at Purdue since the early ’80s, and although there are mixed feelings about it, there is no end in sight.
“There are a lot of faculty members that do not agree with the policy,” associate registrar at Purdue Marilyn Marshall said. “They would rather have everything the student has done on the transcript.”
Under this system, students who decide to change their major can make former classes not contributing to their new major “redlined.” This process allows a fresh start for students who choose to use it, although they are not able to keep the credits earned.
The University of Wisconsin does not have such a policy, often called a “forgiveness policy,” UW assistant registrar Jim Steel said.
“We basically include everything a student has taken into account for their GPA,” Steel added.
Purdue student Emily Boyd said she sees both good and bad sides to the policy Purdue employs.
“I think it’s a good policy,” Boyd said, “but it is unfair to the students who work hard to succeed the first time in their classes.”
However, Boyd said this option is a way to take on classes that could make or break a GPA.
“It’s helpful for students to do better overall. This is a way that doesn’t screw up your GPA,” she said.
Purdue registrar Marshall said she understands why some may not agree with the practice, but believes it has validity.
“If you were struggling in a major that you first thought was right for you and wanted to change, why should you be penalized for a poor record in a major while you have a degree in something you can excel in?” Marshall said.
Nonetheless, the opposition to the policy revolves around the issue of whether it is used by students as faculty intended.
UW sophomore Erin Vassilopoulos said students should be held accountable for their entire student record.
“I don’t think that’s right. It’s irresponsible of the student. You shouldn’t be able to drop classes you did poorly in just because you switched majors, and have to retake them if you stay in the same major,” Vassilopoulos said.
Vassilopoulos said she agrees with the policy of retaking classes to work for a better grade, but sees the application within changing majors unnecessary for schools to employ.
