The first Undergraduate Minor Fair in several years is being held on October 23 by several university offices to help Stevens students discover and choose minors that best fit their academic plans. The Stute spoke with organizers of the fair to learn more about the motivation behind the new event and what students can expect.
The fair is a cooperative effort from the Office of Undergraduate Academics (OUA), the Registrar’s Office, and the Stevens Career Center. According to Lisa Cavanaugh, Coordinator of the School of Business’s Student Support Center, it’s not the first time these offices have collaborated on such an event. “We used to have a minor fair every year, where all the representatives from the various schools, advisors, the Registrar, and OUA would come together to explain minors to the diverse student body and collect paper minor study plans,” she explained.
However, after the school invested more in department-specific advising and the current Workday system was adopted by the university, administration decided that the annual fairs were no longer necessary for most students. However, after a few years of relying on decentralized advising and Workday, the university noticed some problems with dropping an annual fair.
“[Students] begin taking minor courses without declaring a minor, and then we are not able to track them, and sometimes offer the courses they need on a timely basis,” explained Cavanaugh. She and other campus coordinators decided it would be in the best interest of students to bring back a centralized event to promote and explain minors and their relevance to specific majors.
The Minor Fair will feature representation from every department in the university. Each program will have a table where students can collect information, discuss the minor with an advisor, and learn how to apply to the program through Workday. “If [students] have an existing study plan, it might be a good idea to bring it, so they will know when and if they have space in their schedules to add a minor.”
“Some of the goals we have are for students that know what minor they are interested in [so they can] declare them sooner,” added Senior Associate Registrar Jamie Kriger. “[We want to] better advise them about project course offering needs, educate students on available minors, and inform them about different industry needs.” Kriger explained that the Career Center will also have a table at the Fair that will give students a chance to discuss how various minors will enhance their majors and professional opportunities. “Now is the time to talk with us before you register for spring courses!”
Cavanaugh didn’t want this report to conclude without broaching what may be the most enticing aspect of the fair. “Did I mention that we will have give-aways and treats?”
For all undergraduates interested in exploring minor programs—or checking out the free treats — the rebooted Minor Fair will be held on October 23 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Howe Center. Any remaining questions about the Fair can be directed to the OUA.
