Higher Ed Utah

Southern Utah University sophomore, Brant Parker of St. George, is in his first semester back from serving an LDS mission. He never declared a major before he left because he thought a lot would change in two years. Changes, however, are under way to ensure Parker and more than 600 undeclared students at SUU don’t stay that way.

In an effort to become the premier baccalaureate institution in the state, the Board of Trustees recently voted unanimously to approve the state’s first university college. The change becomes effective the fall of 2011.

The university college idea is based on a model by Elon University, a private East Coast school that involves adding experience requirements to existing majors. Beginning with the fall semester there will also be new enrollment requirements that will eliminate open enrollment.

“Sitting in a classroom is only good for so much,” Parker said. He said he feels the creation of a new administrative advisement program will help students get more involved and become more open-minded.

Read the entire article at thespectrum.com.