Bettering our future: Report outlines new programs to address UNC's long-term growth challenges

UNC-Chapel Hill has to admit an additional 5000 students by 2017. But by growing that much the University risks decreasing in its academic quality.

So Trustee John Ellison and Student Body President J.J. Raynor created a much-needed report that outlines challenges associated with growing enrollment and gave solutions.

The report is the product of a year-long study by the trustees of UNC-Chapel Hill to determine the best way to cope with additional enrollment.

They presented their report last week at the Board of Trustee's meeting — and their hard work has certainly paid off.

The report supports previously circulated ideas like implementing a pre-graduate advising program which the University currently does not have increasing the number of merit scholarships and decreasing class sizes.

Both of these ideas will certainly go a long way to increasing the academic environment of the University.

But Ellis and Raynor also offered several new and exciting ideas that have the potential to revolutionize academics at our University.

For example" they suggest implementing a ""3+1 Program""" in which students will be able to finish their bachelor's and master's degrees in four years.

There are many students that already graduate early in three years and continue on to graduate school but this program would make attaining these two degrees easier.

Other universities like Georgetown already offer similar programs.

Another suggestion is the addition of a minor that focuses on solving global issues.

Having an official interdisciplinary minor bridges the gap between students' extracurricular passions and academics in addition to reaffirming the University's commitment to the global community.

The University has a tough road ahead of itself in light of increasing enrollment. To help UNC remain a top-tier university the ideas presented in this report should be implemented.