University adds new majors

Ellen McCusker

It is no secret that Loyola’s enrollment rate is down, but a prominent committee on campus is making strides to improve this problem by instituting two new majors.

On Jan. 9, the Standing Council on Academic Planning voted to implement a B.B.S. in business analytics, a minor in business analytics and a B.S. in computer information systems.

This decision comes after SCAP’s announcement of a B.A. in theatre and musical theatre arts in early December.

Maria Calzada, dean of the College of Humanities and Natural Sciences, said she believes that the B.S. in computer information systems will succeed in attracting potential students as well as prepare them for technologically demanding jobs.

“The new B.S. in computer information systems program includes a well-reasoned combination of courses in computer science, mathematics and business. We do not currently have such a program at Loyola,” Calzada said.

Chris Backes, philosophy senior and SCAP student representative, said he also sees the added programs benefitting future graduates.

“One of the missions of this university is to ensure that its students are well prepared to enter into the job market after college, and the majors meet the constraints of new job markets,” Backes said.

Calzada said that her college is currently looking into hiring a new faculty member to teach the computer information systems program, but that they are prepared aside from that.

Marc Manganaro, provost and vice-president for academic affairs, said that SCAP passed the proposals for the new majors quickly because extensive steps were taken before the programs were presented.

Backes said he hopes the programs will increase enrollment at the university.

“My hope is that they will entice a greater number of intelligent students to attend Loyola, which in turn will make this university more competitive,” Backes said.