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‘I do declare’: first-year students select majors By Monique Bos Approximately 117 Savannah College of Art and Design students took advantage of the first-ever Declaration Day, held April 8, to formally enroll in their major programs of study. “I’m kind of excited to have my chart say industrial design, make it official,” said Jaime Caso, who said deciding on a major was not difficult for her. “It’s just something that I’ve always wanted to do. I like power tools, design and engineering, but I didn’t want to go to engineering school.” Hailie Beam, who is enrolled in her second industrial design class this quarter, also was ready to declare. “I like to design and build, and I like cars,” she said. Caso and Beam were among a number of first-year students who cited the convenience of Declaration Day as a reason they participated. “It’s pretty simple,” said Mary Markushewski, who came to SCAD to study photography. “They made it easy for us.” New metals and jewelry major Ethan Waterman agreed. “It’s a piece of cake,” he said. Students could register at one of five adviser stations set up in the lobby of Weston House, 231 W. Boundary St., or at the office of academic advising in Harris Hall, 26 W. Harris St. Students who are in their 45th credit hour — enrolled in their ninth course — are eligible to declare. According to academic adviser Joe Sero, more than 800 students fit into that category this spring, and all of them need to consult an adviser in order to register for classes. Declaration Day offered students several advantages. “Convenience, because they don’t have to come all the way to Harris Hall,” he said. “Speed — we scale back the time of the appointment, but not the service.” Academic adviser Wyc Rountree said Declaration Day is part of a three-quarter process to assist first-year students with exploring and declaring their majors. The Majors Fair, held during the fall quarter, provides students with an opportunity to learn about majors and minors available at SCAD. Winter Group Advisement meetings enable students to meet with faculty members from a major or majors in which they are interested, learn about curriculum and ask questions. “Declaration Day is an attempt to provide a different venue (Weston House lobby along with Harris Hall) and easier access for students,” Rountree said. “When students declare their major, they are given another academic adviser (who covers their major) along with a faculty adviser (who provides career and technical expertise). We also sequence several quarters’ worth of classes for them, so that they will know our recommendations for the classes they take during fall and winter quarters.” In addition to major-related events, the office of academic advising is providing expanded opportunities for students to fulfill advising requirements. On April 19 from 7-9 p.m., students can meet with advisers on a walk-in basis at the Weston House lobby and Oglethorpe House ballroom, 201 W. Oglethorpe Ave. “That will be a chance for all the students [to receive advising], not just undeclared, although they’ll be able to declare then as well,” Sero said. Students are required to meet with an academic adviser in order to register, so those who missed Declaration Day and are unable to attend the April 19 event should call the office of academic advising at (912) 525-5280 to set up an appointment. Sero said future Declaration Days may expand to include student organizations and faculty members from various majors. Anyone interested in participating should contact Leslie-Ann Whitlock-Andresen at the office of student services, (912) 525-4401. The first Declaration Day was a success, Sero said. “We had a bigger response than I was expecting.” As new illustration major Jeff Powers said, “You’ve got to declare sometime.” |
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