A recent story reported about how Fort Lewis College is dropping computer science because of falling enrollment and low retention. The article also said two other majors were cut as well: agriculture (who does that around here?) and Southwest Studies (I guess now they’ll have to turn Center of Southwest Studies into another concert hall!) So here’s the question: What FLC majors have high enrollment and high retention, as that wasn’t mentioned in the article. – Wondering

That’s a simple question, yet the answer is kind of complicated.

A quick look at FLC’s website, under “academic programs,” Action Line counted 76 different majors available.

So which majors have the most students and which have the highest retention rates? Action Line turned to Mitch Davis, FLC spokesman, who tracked down the numbers.

Some departments, such as psychology, offer only one major. Other departments have several different majors, which are called options.

For example, business administration offers six separate major/options. Each major/option is counted separately. But this might be a minor issue about majors.

Anyway, Davis provided this breakdown of the most popular majors:

Psychology (231 students); business administration (162); engineering (124); general biology (119); interdisciplinary studies – teacher education option (111); business administration – management option (107); art – graphic design option (101); environmental biology (93); accounting (93); anthropology (89); business administration – international business option (89) and adventure education (89).

As we see from the statistics, if academics were a pageant, psychology would be given the sparkling tiara and a sash.

What would Sigmund Freud think of that? Hmm.

Next up, the majors with the highest rate of retention. Again, Davis provides the list:

“Environmental science, general chemistry, art, mathematics, general psychology, exercise/physiology, general music, physics/engineering, social sciences, English language and anthropology,” he wrote by email.

Davis pointed that while FLC cut three majors, it added two.

“Enrollment in our engineering program has exploded,” Davis said. “We just launched a bachelor’s degree in engineering a little over a year ago.”

The other new major is public health, “which was born out of a National Science Foundation grant,” he said.

Perhaps FLC could add another new major: Durango Studies.

This new discipline would emphasize no discipline.

Classes would be canceled on powder days and when kayaking on the Animas River is at its peak.

Its students would never have money for tuition, savings or retirement, but somehow always be able to buy rounds of micro-brews at the Lost Dog Bar & Lounge.

The concept of a “free-market economy” would be a central to the program. By “free-market economy,” we mean mandatory, unpaid internships at local companies.

And talk about high retention rates! People majoring in Durango rarely leave. And if they do, they spend the rest of their lives trying to figure out a way to get back.

Last week’s column on Boulevard “puller-outers” prompted a delightful note from our good friend Polly Morgenstern, who wonders if she is responsible for the traffic maneuver.

“In our former hometown of Cleveland Heights, a suburb of the eponymous city, there are many boulevards bisected by tree-lined grassy malls, much like East Third Avenue,” she writes.

“During most of the day, the only means of crossing is by proceeding halfway and waiting for traffic to clear,” she says.

“I know of one other local couple from our former community. Perhaps we are responsible for the trend here!”

Polly adds: “At least we haven’t inflicted upon Durango the term Clevelanders use for the grass strip between the sidewalk and street: the ‘tree lawn,’ as in, ‘take the trash out to the tree lawn.’”

“One other thing. While Clevelanders don’t take their dogs to certain social functions, they also don’t take their babies to performances in the area’s concert halls. Oops, a pet peeve.”

Email questions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 80301. You can request anonymity if you have an advanced degree from the School of Hard Knocks.