Direct Admit to Major Revised Catalog Language

On October 7, 2025, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Shelli Soto reported that there are 29 majors that currently offer direct admit to major. CBE currently is the largest participant. She has been having conversations with departments about various opportunities, including offering foundation courses to support students. She reported that one issue is determining how to place majors into one of three categories: open major, minimum requirements, or capacity-constrained. The AY 2025-26 focus was on programs that were ready to proceed with open major; this year will be used to work on other categories for 2026-2027 admissions. 

On November 4, 2025, the Vice Provost reviewed proposed 2026-27 University Catalog language regarding Direct Admission to Major. The proposed revision includes placing majors into three categories and is being shared with faculty governance for review and approval. Commissioners discussed how the proposed changes will be incorporated into Curriculum after approval and the minimum requirements language under the capacity-constrained category, including how they might be addressed for first-year versus transfer students. Commissioners were asked to seek constituent feedback prior to a vote on the proposed language on November 18. The Chair will circulate the proposal to college curriculum committees for feedback prior that meeting. 

On November 18, the ACC Chair reported that three colleges provided feedback. One thought that the proposal was great, one sought clarification that applied only to majors, and one had a question about the capacity-constrained majors category. With respect to the latter, the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management described the rollout process, stating that the AY 2026-27 admissions cycle is phase two and is focused on the open and minimal requirements categories for participation in direct admit to major. While capacity-constrained majors are not part of phase two, they are on the radar screen for the future. 

On November 18, 2025, ACC considered the proposed revisions as an action item. Commissioners adopted two minor clarification edits to the proposed document by consent.

A motion to approve the revised catalog language by Tara Perry (and seconded) was approved unanimously.

On January 26, 2026, a motion by Vice President/President-Elect James Ray to approve the revision of “declaring a major” catalog language as approved by ACC on November 18, 2025, and discussed by the Faculty Senate on January 12 was passed by a vote of 23 yes, 1 no, 6 abstain.