The recent decision to discontinue the American studies major at University Park is due to the reorganization of available resources in the College of the Liberal Arts.

Jack Selzer, associate dean of resident instruction, said the College of the Liberal Arts is trying to provide students with better resources by discontinuing the American studies major.

"[The faculty] decided they could serve the students better by focusing their resources in other areas," he said.

The American studies major will only be discontinued at University Park, not at Penn State Berks and Penn State Harrisburg, where the major has more available resources and is possibly more popular, Selzer said.

The phasing-out was a result of a department-wide faculty discussion about a year ago, English department head Robert Caserio said.

He added that the proposal was then presented to other departments in the College of the Liberal Arts and all other colleges involved for approval. All the colleges approved the phase-out.

Caserio said the most significant reason for the phase-out is because the courses that were in American studies are now offered throughout the English department as well and the curriculum is not the part that is being phased-out. Although students will not be able to major in American studies, the same classes will be available.

He added another reason is the requirements needed for an American studies minor were minimal. "It was not giving students much of an education that was respectable," Caserio said.

Last fall was the last time students could enroll in the major and students will not be able to enter the major starting fall 2005.

Caserio said the courses will continue to be offered for students currently enrolled in the major in order to graduate, and the final phase-out will probably be by 2007.

"The students who are in the major now will not be disadvantaged in any way," Selzer said.

Paul Kellermann, lecturer in English and American studies, said he is disappointed about the phase-out.

He said the possible reason for the phase-out could be money.

"But I remain blissfully ignorant as to the rationale of any of the administration's decisions," Kellermann said.

Caserio said the reasons were not really monetary, but the lopsided professor to student ratio was one of the considerations. He added that no more than 30 students are currently majoring in American studies.

Selzer said the phasing-out of the major would not affect the change of the General Education requirements, which include International Cultures and U.S. Cultures requirements.

He said it will only affect the small number of students in the American studies major, and the College of the Liberal Arts will continue to offer courses to fulfill these new requirements.

Caserio said the English department is offering 17 courses that will fulfill the International and U.S. Cultures credits.

Nicole Belolan, a representative of the College of the Liberal Arts for the Undergraduate Student Government Academic Assembly, said American studies is worthwhile and should be continued at University Park.