The push for the creation of a dance minor at UNC is steadily gaining ground — and could be available to students as early as the 2014-15 school year.
While UNC currently offers dance classes, there is no dance major or minor in place, a standard that students like Lauren Friedmann said she would like to change.
The success of the campaign for a dance minor is largely due to the efforts of Friedmann, a UNC junior and the president and founder of the Carolina Dance Project, said other members of the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor.
Friedmann, who studies mathematics and economics, said the minor would not only benefit artistic students on campus, but also more scientific-minded students like herself.
“I’m a strong believer that dance can affect the way you think and improve your ability to solve problems,” she said.
As a member of the chancellor’s committee, Friedmann, along with a group of supporters, has presented the dance minor to Chancellor Holden Thorp.
Rachel Myrick, chairwoman of the committee, which meets monthly, said she has been supportive of Friedmann’s efforts. She said the group serves as a liaison between students and administrators.
“The purpose of an advisory committee … is to ensure that administrators hear the ideas that students are passionate about and the concerns that are foremost on students’ minds,” Myrick said.
Friedmann said Thorp has been receptive of the idea of a dance minor.
