Testing the Hypothesis Part.2

Kelly: Kelly is a third year innovation academy student who is very satisfied with her experience.
at innovation academy. In fact, she says that she likes how IA limits majors because it makes it
even more exclusive . She did mention, however how she could say that not being able to
change your major in IA could potentially be upsetting because you have to go through a long
process, but she did mention that one of her friends is trying to petition out and she heard from
her that there are always great advisors to help with the process.

Seven: Seven is a first year innovation academy student. She explained how when she enrolled
in innovation academy she was aware that IA was major exclusive because her brother was in it
and was okay with it because she had always wanted to major in biology (which is one of the IA
majors) from the beginning. She did mention though that it is problematic that students are not
able to change their major when they want to like how traditional students are. She feels that IA
students are put at a disadvantage because of this and says this is why many people complain
about the academy.

Christian: Christian is a second year innovation academy student. He likes innovation academy
a lot. He is very involved with the program and just like Kelly he likes that it is exclusive because
he feels like the academy is a niche in a big university. When I asked him about how the major
limitations can be problematic he answered by explaining how IA students can always petition

or sadly transfer. He mentioned that IA is not for everyone and that is what makes it so special. 

Jade: Jade is a fourth year innovation academy student that is very happy with innovation

academy and loves how exclusive it is as well. In fact, she mentioned that IA is so much better

than traditional because it is much easier to find friends within the IA community especially since

all IA students that live on-campus exclusively live in the same place, Beaty Towers. She

explained that this made it really easier to talk to people who had the same passions as her

because the majors were limited. She did explain how limiting majors can be upsetting, and she

has seen a lot of her friends transfer because of it.

Cassie: Cassie is a first year innovation academy student who was hesitant of innovation

academy at first because it limited majors, but is perfectly fine with it now because she knows

exactly what major she wants to pursue at UF and it is part of the academy. She did mention

though, that many of her friends that wanted to change their majors were having doubts on the

academy because it is so exclusive and limits majors. 

Inside                                                                    Outside

Who is in: Sophia, Victoria, Maddie, Deren, Arielle	Who is out: Kelly, Seven, Christian, Jade, Cassie
What the need is:The need is to not be limited to majors in innovation academy.	What the need is not:The need is not to make innovation academy available for all majors.
Why the need exists:The need exists because majors in innovation academy are limited. Therefore, if a student changes their mind on their career path or major, and that major is not included in the innovation academy they have to engage in  a longer process than a traditional student such as petitioning to change one’s major or transferring to another school.	Alternative Explanations: AN alternative explanation would be to keep IA exclusive because it creates a niche community that is enriching it like minded students. Excluding majors makes IA exclusive, and even though petitioning can be lengthy it can happen, and if transferring has to occur it can.