As the deadline for the majority of sophomores to declare their majors looms, members of the Class of 1999 are putting the finishing touches on their academic plans for the next two years.While some sophomores are scrambling across campus to meet with departmental advisors and hand in major cards by the Thursday deadline, most feel comfortable with the decisions they are making.
Dean of the Class of 1999 Sylvia Langford, called the current sophomore class "a dynamic group of students," and said most sophomores have not needed additional advisory help in selecting a major.
Langford cited low attendance figures at a recent discussion she held on major requirements as evidence of only minor sophomore anxiety over the deadline.
Julia Henneberry '99 said she and her friends have extensively researched their options and do not feel threatened by the impending deadline.
"Most of my friends and I have put a lot of thought into what we have chosen," she said.
Yet some students say they have been caught off guard by the requirement to select a concentrated course of study.
"I just found out I had to decide by this week," Adriano deRose '99 said. "I haven't really thought about it yet."
Students who do not declare a major to the Registrar's Office by the end of their fifth term of enrollment are charged $10 and are ineligible to register for any subsequent terms until the requirement is completed.
Meanwhile, students electing to undertake modified majors unifying similar courses of study or interested in minors say they have been confused by the specialized requirements.
Juliana Garzon '99, who intends to major in engineering modified with environmental studies, said she is perplexed by the requirements for the specialized major.
After reading the Organizations, Regulations and Courses manual and speaking to advisors in the engineering department, Garzon said she felt "confusion over the chemistry classes I needed to take."
Garzon said she is currently working with professors in both departments to figure out her exact schedule.
Langford said the disparate requirements for special majors like Garzon's may present particular problems for interested students.
"Figuring out minors and modified majors becomes a little more confusing and will be done later than the deadline," she said.
But, for the most part, sophomores appear certain of their future majors and say they know what they are jumping into.
"Most people know what they are doing and aren't really stressed about their choices," Jennifer Keller '99 said.
Sophomores are racing to complete other graduation requirements as well. Currently, only 495 -- less than half of the students in the Class of 1999 -- have completed their physical education requirement.
The three-term requirement must be completed by members of the Class of 1999 by the end of this Summer term.
According to the Office of Physical Education, there are usually 200 students who fail to complete the requirement on time and are fined $50 per term until the requirement is completed.
