Anyone raised in the South, or anyone raised with common sense, for that matter, has probably been advised that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Luckily for the university student body, our administrators have stepped slightly outside the boundaries of this advice when approaching proposed changes to the Vision in Action program.

In the five years since VIA was implemented, school officials say it has met and exceeded its goals. Campus renovations? Thanks, VIA. Internal scholarship support?

The VIA lent a proverbial hand to that area, too. But Provost Nowell Donovan and Chancellor Victor Boschini aren’t stopping there.

If proposed changes are accepted, VIA will continue as an initiative with different goals. Students, faculty and staff could see a change in the university’s “vision and values statements” through the VIA “sequel,” as Donovan called it.

As an academic institution, our university displays this information on pamphlets, in e-mails and on the official TCU website. The mission and vision of the school are based on principles that play a role in a multitude of happenings on campus. Changes to these fundamental guiding factors could change what it means to be a student here and, not to be overlooked, what it means to earn a degree here.

A stagnant, changeless plan is rarely a good one, but if university officials are looking to change things, they should proceed with caution.

Managing editor Melanie Cruthirds for the editorial board.