Beginning with the fall 2007 semester, students at Mississippi’spublic colleges and universities will have to take fewer courses toearn a bachelor’s degree.

Under the plan adopted Thursday by the College Board, thecurrent average number of hours required for a four-year degreewill be reduced from 131 to 124.

Is that a good idea? Some believe so, and they cite theseadvantages to the change:

* Timely completion of degree programs could be expected toincrease.

* Present and future financial burdens on students and parentscould be expected to decrease.

* Faculty could be expected to implement important reviews andassessment of current curriculum.

* Class scheduling could be more efficient.

* Financial aid could be expected to reach more students.

The change has its detractors, too. They see thesedrawbacks:

* Students exposure to academics could be reduced.

* Some programs could need additional credit hours to meetaccrediting agency and professional association requirements,requiring policy exceptions.

* Administration and faculty time could be diverted to rewritingcurriculum.

* Personnel needs in some areas could be reduced, requiring somestaff reductions.

College Board president Roy Klumb of Gulfport voted against thechange.

”I am worried that we don’t have enough teeth to get what needsto be done – and that is a serious program review at all ourcampuses,” he said.

And, Mississippi State President Charles Lee said all universitypresidents would like a rigorous review at each university todecide on recommended degree requirements.

Shouldn’t that be accomplished first?

While we’d like nothing better to see more Mississippi studentsget college degrees, the state’s first priority should be to makesure students get the quality education they need. Thedegrees they receive should be reward for hard work, not easywork.

Seems to us a little more homework would be in order before thedegree requirements are changed.