Maxwell undergraduate major to benefit students, SU

Students at Syracuse University no longer have to be enrolled in a graduate program to earn a degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Sixteen freshmen will make up the initial class of the citizenship and civic engagement major, Maxwell’s first undergraduate program. By allowing talented undergraduates the opportunity to utilize Maxwell’s prestigious resources, both the university and students will benefit.

The new major reflects the White Paper, a highly debated proposal to create a signature undergraduate major in Maxwell, drafted during the spring 2010 semester. The goal of the proposal was to give Maxwell greater decision-making power and more autonomy from the College of Arts and Sciences.

This major will allow undergraduate students to take classes at one of the top graduate schools in the country for courses focused on public affairs. Because of this, students will gain beneficial and exceptional experiences from renowned faculty and resources only the school can provide.

By only accepting about 15 students per year into the major, Maxwell has created an exclusive program that should entice more gifted students for their undergraduate careers. This is especially true because the school’s ranking fairs much higher on national top colleges lists than Arts and Sciences.

The ability to earn a degree with the actual Maxwell name, following a signature experience, might also help recruit the best and brightest prospective college students.

Because this major works as an additional course of study to a previously declared major, the other SU schools and colleges should work with Maxwell faculty to ensure students enrolled in all subjects have the opportunity to apply for the program.

The undergraduate program is directed toward students studying the social sciences, but making the major more accessible for applicants across more disciplines would enhance the program. A wider range of civic engagement projects might be pursued that benefit the campus and Syracuse community if students with even more diverse interests become involved.

The program will effectively utilize the resources already here on campus to better serve the SU student body. Because this major is a remarkable opportunity for undergraduate students, it should be extensively promoted to prospective students.