Southern Polytechnic State University
Policy and Procedure Manual
P&P Number:  304.20 
Original Date: March 2003
Approved: March 5, 2003
 
 
University Honors Program
Overview This P&P includes the following main sections:
  • Philosophical Background
  • Admission Criteria
  • Academic Requirements
  • University Honors Options
  • Recognition Upon Graduation
  • Recruitment Incentives
  • Honors Program Governance
Philosophical
Background		 The objective of the University Honors Program at Southern Polytechnic State University is to recruit and retain academically talented students and provide them opportunities to develop their special talents and skills in an enriched version of the curriculum.  The Program typically features classes with smaller enrollments and more intellectual rigor; and provides academically talented students the opportunity to work closely with faculty on special projects, independent study, and research.  In addition, Honors students are part of a community of peers and will be provided opportunities for social interaction with each other and with faculty.
Admission
Criteria		 Students may apply to enter the University Honors Program if they satisfy admission criteria established by the Honors Program and approved by the General Faculty. Eligible students will be screened by the University Honors Program Committee, which will make the final admission decisions.
Academic
Requirements		 In order to graduate with the Honors designation, students enrolled in the University Honors Program must meet the requirements established by the Honors Program and approved by the General Faculty to graduate with the Honors designation.
University
Honors Options		 The Honors Program with approval of the General Faculty can also establish designations for recognition of partial completion of the Honors Requirement.
Recognition
Upon
Graduation		 Completion of the Honors requirements or certain specified components of it will be recognized on student transcripts, diplomas, and at appropriate ceremonies.  All Honors courses are designated as such on transcripts.
Recruitment
Incentives		 Recruitment incentives are developed by the Honors Program.  These might include scholarships, orientation, early registration opportunities, and social activities.
University
Honors Program
Governance		 The Honors Program is overseen by a Director, assisted and advised by a committee of the faculty (Honors Committee).  The Director is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Honors Committee.
 
Director The Director of the Honors Program is appointed by and reports to the VPAA.  The Director is responsible for daily operation of the Program as well as long-term oversight of planning; and recruiting, admission and advising of students. The Director works in concert with the Academic Program Heads to select faculty to teach Honors courses, advise Honors students, schedule Honors classes and develop and assess the Honors Courses and the Honors Program.
University Honors
Program
Committee		 The University Honors Program Committee is a committee of the faculty that provides direction and advice to the Director on all matters regarding operation of the program.  The Honors Program Committee includes one representative selected by each school and three additional members, selected by the Honors Director, from programs that offer Honors Courses.  Ideally these faculty members will be either currently teaching Honors courses or scheduled to teach Honors courses during the past or upcoming year.
Course
designation and
content		 The Honors Committee shall establish pedagogical criteria and the process by which courses are to be designated “Honors.” Academic Program Heads may designate faculty willing to develop Honors courses, participate in the proposal process, and administer instruments to assess the Honors Program.  Honors courses are normally proposed by programs, approved by the Honors Committee, Honors Director, and, when appropriate, by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
Recruiting and
Admissions		 The Director works closely with the Directors of Recruitment and of Admissions to bring academically talented students into the University.  The Honors Director, along with the Committee, determines which students will be admitted into the Program, and which students shall be offered particular incentives.