After years of complaints from students regarding the university charging for the 18th credit hour, change may be at hand. Representatives from SGA met with the Executive Leadership Committee Tuesday to argue the student's case for inclusion of the 18th credit hour in tuition costs beginning with the 2003-2004 school year.

All things considered, the inclusion of the 18th hour in tuition is a smart move for the administration to make. Although it is only one additional hour, this credit will open up many opportunities for students. The biggest change that will come about if this measure is implemented is the ability to take six classes that are three credit hours each. Under the current system, a student can only take five classes that are three credit hours each. Left with two remaining hours, students who want to take the maximum numbers of hours are forced to fill their schedule with either one credit courses or mini-courses.

Obviously, by taking an extra three credit class, a student will improve the difficulty of his or her schedule. In turn, the university's academic reputation will be enhanced, making the school attractive to both prospective students and prospective professors.

The university's main argument against the measure revolves around the potential revenue loss created not only by the loss of the money made from charging for the 18th credit hour but also by the potential need for more professors. This potential loss in revenue is no competition for the obvious gains that the student body will experience. In the big picture the chance for a student to take another class per semester will outweigh this potential revenue loss.

The students' argument for the inclusion of the 18th hour in tuition costs is based on the same argument the administration used to change the grading scale. In both cases the motivation behind the change is the desire to increase UD's academic integrity.

For once, the administration has the chance to listen to the student body and act in its best interest. Hopefully, our voices will be heard.