The implementation of the new women's studies major, which was approved by the Board of Trustees in the spring, is being held temporarily while the Illinois Board of Higher Education gathers more information about the major and the degree it would fall under.

The board, according to its Web site, "approves all new units of instruction, research, and public service, as well as new academic administrative units, for public colleges and universities in the state."

Keith Marshall, assistant provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the major would be grouped with the new bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies, with five other interdisciplinary majors including international as well as medieval studies. The majors previously fell under a bachelor's degree in humanities.

"(The hold) has nothing to do with the fact that it was women's studies," Marshall said. "The IBHE just wants to make sure they understand ... why the degree went from humanities to an interdisciplinary degree."

Jacque Kahn, associate director of the women's studies program, said there were no December graduates majoring in women's studies, and while there would be three students graduating in May with women's studies majors, she said the problem would most likely be solved by then.

"The Provost's Office indicated that they are very optimistic that it will be worked out by January," she said. "It won't keep any students from graduating or cause any hardships."

But so far the process has been slow.

"The bureaucratic chain moves a little slowly," Marshall said. "(People in) women's studies may be frustrated, but none of this is because the women's studies program is involved."

Before the women's studies major was created, students who wanted to major in the field had to plan their own curriculums through individual programs of study.

Kate Goldstein, senior in LAS, switched to the women's studies program this year, but she said she hadn't officially become a women's studies major. She said she was "a little" concerned about the degree not being legitimate when she would be graduating in May.