The flood gates are about to break in other majors, too–in Film Studies, overcrowding has forced students to find alternatives to Sight and Sound, a course traditionally essential for future filmmakers.

Although a prospective student would be foolish not to inquire about their intended major before matriculation, the distinction of being a prestigious liberal arts institution carries with it the distinction of making education available to students who pay their dues and follow the rules.

According to Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Richard Boyd, the natural science departments have been bolstered in hopes of drawing people away from the social science majors. And yet, at a small liberal arts institution such as Wesleyan, this kind of favoritism seems counter-productive–the point of a liberal education is the ability to pick and choose, to switch, to follow a developing passion.

If overpopulation in the social sciences is a problem, it is possible that Wesleyan students are declaring their dissatisfaction with the natural sciences rather than ardently pursuing a passion to become sociologists or economists. Perhaps the natural sciences should come under scrutiny rather than the social science majors currently in the spotlight. 

It is clear that something must be done soon. The bottom line for students: it is difficult and perhaps fruitless to demand more professors or resources in the social sciences and expect immediate gratification.

The bottom line for faculty and administrators: an undergrad demonstrating intelligence and reasonable forethought must not be denied the opportunity to receive a BA in the major of their choice.

Temporary solutions to this crisis may require a dab of creativity. If getting into Introduction to Sociology is a problem, perhaps credited tutorials advised by graduate students and teaching assistents can be arranged to stem the overflow. New crosslistable courses may have to be designed to sluice students from an overcrowded major into the classrooms of a less crowded one.

These and other alternative options must be explored immediately. If enough students keep pressure on the Administration, perhaps the classes of the new millenium will arrive to find an academic utopia free of surprises.