Keep it in perspective!

A student who participates in the Honors Program for the sake of its perks is ill advised and headed for disillusionment. The program is designed to provide a particular type and a particular quality of education, not a bundle of goodies. However, Honors students who demonstrate their responsibility do have access to some special perks that aren’t available to other students. As the television commercial says, some restrictions apply, as spelled out in the Honors Handbook. Given that, among the existing perks are the following:

Honors Housing

If they choose to do so, Honors students can live in a special section of Universiy housing set aside just for them. Most students who choose Honors housing have very positive experiences there. They like being around students with whom they have a lot in common; they like the opportunity to arrange study groups (and not infrequently recreational forays as well!) with colleagues taking the same courses; they like being around people who are interested in serious ideas as well as popular culture; they like living with people who understand the importance of studying as well as partying; and they like being part of a community offering a wealth of varied knowledge and expertise (You help me wih my calculus, and I’ll help you write that essay on Macchiavelli.)

Change Audit to Credit

College students can take a course for “audit” rather than regular credit. This means that they can participate fully in the class, but that they will not be given a letter grade and will not earn credit toward graduation. Honors students have the unique privilege of changing their status midway through the semester from audit to credit status. This allows them to try a course without putting their G.P.A. in jeopardy.

Late Drop

Any student has the right to drop a course up to a specified point in the semester with no academic penalty. Honors students have the right to drop certain courses right up until the last month of the semester.

Self-Defined Major

The University Bulletin provides a great variety of academic majors. However, occasionally an Honors student might have a special interest that doesn't quite fit one of the existing options. In that case the student has the privilege of proposing a self-defined major, unique to himself or herself. For example, suppose a student is particularly interested in the social or ethical implications of the total computerization of our lives. That student could develop a self-defined major combining Computer Science with Sociology, Psychology, or Ethics.

Honors Independent Study

Every student has the right to take a course via independent study in one of the existing departments or programs, providing the existing circumstances make it feasible. Honors students have the right to propose an independent study which is not confined to any of the existing majors or programs. A “Great Books” course is but one example of such an interdisciplinary approach.