In its recent decision to delay a vote on a four-credit, four-class curricular structure, the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences echoed the concerns of all professors reluctant to sign on to a vague plan. This school’s choice to wait to make a decision until the fall is not at all surprising, since administrators have not clearly communicated many specifics or benefits, aside from financial savings, to faculty members.

In previous editorials, this page warned that without a more detailed plan to implement four-by-four, faculty members would be reluctant to approve the new system. After the Faculty Senate’s rejection of the current four-by-four plan last month, the Columbian College’s refusal to cooperate is an affirmation that professors and staff need more details on this major academic shift before committing to action.

These roadblocks to four-by-four’s adoption are nearly identical to those that occurred during a previous failed attempt by University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg to enact this plan. It is not clear why the architects of four-by-four would not provide more information to faculty this time around; however, there is still time to rectify the situation.

Clearly, part of the Columbian College’s decision deals with the upcoming transition to a new president and perhaps new administrators. Steven Knapp, the incoming president, may have his own views on four-by-four, views that could derail Trachtenberg’s initiative.

If the shepherds of the proposed academic shift would like to see four-by-four to fruition, they must act now to give faculty members more specifics to aid a final decision. This change will have a better chance to survive the transition if a majority of professors are able to come out in support of the plan thanks to more details. Otherwise, it may be best for GW’s other schools to follow the Columbian College’s lead.