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According to Associate Dean Alan Silva, any student who wishes to develop a flexible curriculum program for themselves is welcome to do so. This requires planning with and the approval of a CLA faculty adviser, as well as the approval of the Proposals and Petitions subcommittee of the Academic Affairs Committee. “Basically,” he said, “a student writes the proposal with their faculty advisor and then submits it to the Registrar’s office who then forwards it to the subcommittee for approval.” Senior Elke Hobus found that the most difficult part of the whole process was the very first step: finding a faculty advisor. Her flex major is public health with a focus in sexual health and a minor in Sociology, modeled after the University of Minnesota’s Public Health degree. “Talk to as many professors/faculty members around campus as possible,” she said. This will ensure getting the right fit with the advisor and the best resources for what an individual needs.

Next, according to Silva, is choosing courses that meet the general academic standards and graduation requirements, including the Hamline Plan. Traditional majors usually consist of around 10 courses, which is also the aim of the Flexible Curriculum program. Handpicking the classes was a big plus for Hobus. “I get to pick the ones I like and which professors I want to take classes from,” she said.

Some may ask why students wouldn’t just go to a different school. “The background that I had at Hamline was so strong in the areas of my majorthat I didn’t feel it was necessary to leave if I didn’t have to,” said sophomore Kelsey Kiefer, who is majoring in Adolescent Behavior. “Plus,” she said, “none of the other schools had a major that I was looking for, so I figured I might as well try and customize one.” Hobus said that Hamline is “home” and she wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

The ACTC program is a key component of this program for many students in the program. Junior Eric Langsev developed a geography major that includes classes at both Macalester and St. Thomas. Taking advantage of this resource is something that Hobus wishes she would have done. Another piece of advice she has for students considering this plan of action is to “make sure you read the fine print in the Hamline Handbook...memorize [it] if you are trying to do anything untraditional.”

The process is fairly simple. A form needs to be filled out and approved can be downloaded off of the Registrar’s page of the university website. The proposal must be approved before the end of the student’s junior year, ideally during their sophomore year. The form and proposal is to be completed with the faculty adviser the student has chosen.

The program is not perfectčit has its flaws like any other major or minor programčbut it is ideal for students who are not quite satisfied with what Hamline, or any other university, has to offer. “I definitely think it is an option worth exploring,” said Kiefer.