"They don't want the sole reason for writing a thesis to be to get honors," SAC member Adrienne R. Bradley '96 said.

Many economics concentrators said they welcome the proposed addition of a non-thesis honors track.

"People are almost overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal because it is an addition to the choices they already have," said Gopal Garuda '98-'97, who serves on the SAC.

Some economics concentrators said allowing honors students to bypass the thesis requirement would help add continuity to their program.

"A lot of times, students can get really involved in writing a long thesis or doing research for a professor that has nothing to do with the classes they have taken," concentrator Nayantara D. Hensel '97 said.

Committee members also said they believe the proposal would help improve the quality of theses.

"[The current thesis requirement] diverts resources away from the people who write these because they genuinely care about their theses," Garuda said. "The department wants to focus on better these and I think that's what we will see."

But some economics concentrators said they fear an optional thesis may diminish the distinction of an honors degree.

"There is a lot to learn from writing a thesis," said Jason M. Sobol '97, who plans to continue with his thesis plans. "In some sense [the optional thesis] would be a step backwards.