Resolution 2006-04: Modification of Majors/Minors structure

Current Problems:

1. Current structure limits the creativity of writers and characters.
2. Current system is not realistic in terms of dealing with the amount of time needed to complete post-graduate areas like medical school.
3. Writers choosing command for both their major and minor as part of their characters’ education have made it difficult in placing them in training.

Proposed Solutions:

1. While still maintaining the generic majors/minors of each area, the current specialties should be listed only as examples to allow players to be creative as long it’s within reason. Like in medicine, areas like cardiology, gynecology etc is not mentioned and if a player is interested in having his/her character specializing in those areas (not mentioned on the list), then they should be allowed to do so.
   
   
2. Change the system by making the first four years of the Academy for basic study (similar to an undergraduate program) and an additional two years for those characters who are training to become doctors (Medical school system based on a European or UK model rather than the North American one); for those choosing to enroll in special programs like Advanced Tactical Training etc.
   
3. Now onto the issue with Command, I propose a couple of options with rectifying this problem:
   
   a) Remove it completely, meaning players (whether it be new applicants, those wanting to open 2nd characters and ACTis) are not permitted to choose command as their major or minor. We can however allow command to be mentioned in the additional training section. Now, just because we will not be allowing new applicants to choose command, it does not the mean the command school at SFA will be removed. I mean there will always be officers (NPCs) graduating SFA with command.
   The only exception would be that people choosing to open 2nd characters or returning players, who want to be a Diplomatic Corps Liaison still be allowed to pick Command as that area involves the fields the diplomatic corps people specialize in and since players choosing that position is rare, I don’t see any issues occurring over it.
   
   b) Only allow command to be chosen either as a major or minor but *not* both and pick something else out of Security, Tactical, Counseling, Medical, Science, Engineering and Flight Control, Operations. Like with point 2, they can be allowed another minor (different from the first major/minor depending on where Command is). In this case, the cadet will need to take an extra year to complete their basic study.
   
   Example (is allowed):
   
   Cadet Kate Smith
   Academy Major: Command (Interplanetary Diplomacy)
   Academy Minor: Flight Control and Tactical -OR- Academy Major: Flight Control (Combat
   Maneuvers)
   Academy Minor: Command and Counseling -OR- Academy Major: Medicine (Neurology)
   Academy Minor: Command and Nanotechnology
   
   Example (is not allowed):
   
   Cadet Anna Doe
   Academy Major: Command (Administration)
   Academy Minor: Command (Federation Law)
   
   c) Restrict the choice of command to only a minor and additional training. However similar to point b), the player will be allowed to choose another minor (different from the major). Duration of basic study same as b).
   d) Leave it as it is (Status quo).
   
   
4. Changes outlined above will only affect those
   players who decide to start a new character (cadet,
   second character, replacement character and ACTi)
   if/after the resolution passes.

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Outcome:

Debate Ongoing. Will require final approval
from the MC if the ACTC approves the resolution.