New minors commendable

By Staff Editorial     2/26/09 6:00pm

The proposal of the new Energy and Water Sustainibility and Poverty, Justice, and Human Capabilities minors is a pleasing sight for a few reasons (see story, page 7).Firstly, the continuation and expansion of the minors program is, in itself, the correct step to take in Rice's academic growth. Recently, the Thresher expressed its pleasure about the extension of the minors slate and in the two weeks since, little has changed ("Minors tangible results of student innovation," Jan. 30, 2009).

Secondly, we would like to laud the expansion of interdisciplinary minors. Creating these markets for niche audiences, markets that were originally in a vacuum, is a welcome sight. Both of the proposed minors, in addition to the recently introduced Jewish studies minor, have created space in Rice's curriculum for specific study, rather than simply piggy-backing on an already-existing minor.

While we are wary of a gross overexpansion of the minors program, we feel that the administration is a long way away from reaching any sort of tipping point. For now, the minors either proposed or already in existence are commendable, and we hope the program's continuation will not stop here.

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