The Gallatin School of Individualized Study, a school known for its lack of degree requirements, will allow its students to declare a minor from another school beginning this fall, Lisa Goldfarb, Gallatin's associate dean for faculty and academic affairs, announced Monday.

But students who choose to pursue minors under the new program won't necessarily see much change in academic curricula.

'I expect that there are students who are going to minor in things that, prior to their ability to minor, had done this work anyway,' Gallatin Director of Advising John Lang said. 'All this does is now as they've done the courses, they will receive the credit for them. The educational experience will not change drastically.'

Students planning to pursue minors under the new program will still complete their previous concentration as normal. If a minor is declared, it becomes a graduation requirement. Thus the student must either complete the requirements or undeclare the minor to graduate.

Despite the novelty of the program, many Gallatin students are ambivalent about the new opportunity to receive a minor.

'I might get a minor in Spanish since I'm taking all the classes anyway, so I might as well say I have a minor,' Gallatin freshman Kayla Sargent said. 'I think it's helpful, but I don't think it really makes that big of a difference.'

Gallatin students will only be able to pursue one minor, and seniors graduating in May or September cannot go back and claim minors.

Senior Jessica Lawrence is not disappointed to have missed the opportunity.

'Honestly, I think the whole point of Gallatin is that you can take whatever you want,' Lawrence said. 'If you wanted a major or minor you would have gone to CAS. I don't think it will take away from Gallatin; I guess some people like having that structure.'

'I don't fully understand the point, though, because after graduation you can write whatever you want on your degree,' Lawrence said.

Kelly Roberts is a staff writer. E-mail her at university@nyunews.com.