Mansfield University Senate - CANs

Curricular Action Notice: Program Change, Honors Program

1.      Rationale for change:

     A/I ® This procedure allows for an appeals process. The Honors Program also includes honorable conduct. Plagiarism is also against University policy.

2.      Old Degree and Program Title : Honors Program

     New Degree and Program Title :

     List all changes:

           Academic Integrity: Any Honors Program student who is enrolled in a class denoted as HON or cross-listed with the Honors Program and commits plagiarism or similar offense as denoted by the policies of the class instructor will be removed from the Honors Program. Removal from the Honors Program may be appealed to Honors Council.
            Pass/Fail:   Courses taken P/F (pass/fail) cannot be counted for Honors credit.
3.      Program Description for Catalog (if changed):

The Honors Program at Mansfield University is a 24-credit multi disciplinary academic program which features innovative course work, challenging subjects and opportunities for cultural enrichment. This Program is designed for students with a consistent record of academic achievement and a desire for new and exciting learning experiences which allows for students to apply their knowledge across academic disciplines. It is the goal of the Honors Program to provide students with the skills and opportunities to achieve their full potential during their academic career at Mansfield University. Honors students are expected to make continual progress each semester in completing their Honors Program to remain in Good Standing. Mansfield University is a member of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) and the Northeast Region National Collegiate Honors council (NE-NCHC).

The Honors Program offers a dynamic learning environment that includes unique courses, collaborative and individual research projects and field-based educational experiences. All Honors Program students are required to complete five specially designed core courses, two honors electives, and one Senior Honors Research Presentation. The electives, representing a cross-section of the liberal arts and sciences, change each semester.

Enrollment in the Honors Program is accomplished in three ways: 1) Students who demonstrate superior high school achievement as reflected on their GPA, SAT scores and high class rank are invited to accept early admission into the Honors Program during Freshman Orientation; 2) Freshman who exhibit strong academic potential during their first semester are invited to join the program on the basis of faculty recommendation; and 3) Students who have completed their freshmen year and demonstrate strong academic achievement can forward a written request to the Honors Program Director to be considered for admission.

Honors students must maintain a 3.0 in both their Honors courses and overall QPA. A student who falls below 3.0 will be placed on Honors Probation. The student is given one semester to improve their Quality Point Average and/or Honors course grades. Should the QPA not be raised to 3.0 by the following semester, the student will be dismissed from the Program. A student may appeal a dismissal by the Honors Program Director to the Honors Council. There are two REQUIRED meetings during the Academic year: one during fall semester and one during spring semester.

After a student is admitted they are assigned to an Honors Advisor who will assist with progress in the Program. The Honors Advisor also helps with the student’s General Education program so that it is challenging and relevant to the student’s interests. The Honors Program is compatible with all Mansfield University departmental majors without requiring “extra” courses. Almost all Honors courses count in fulfilling the General Education Block Requirements dependent upon content. If a student leaves the Honors Program they would not lose any of the credits earned. All credits would still appear on the student transcript and count as fulfilling your General Education requirements.

     Academic Integrity: Any Honors Program student who is enrolled in a class denoted as HON or cross-listed with the Honors Program and commits plagiarism or similar offense as denoted by the policies of the class instructor will be removed from the Honors Program. Removal from the Honors Program may be appealed to Honors Council.
      Pass/Fail:   Courses taken P/F (pass/fail) cannot be counted for Honors credit.

Benefits of the Honors Program include: Priority scheduling, scholarship awards including M.U. Foundation Awards, Highest QPA by Class Book Awards and full scholarships to attend the five-week Summer Honors Program of the State System of Higher Education which earns each participant six University Honors credits. In addition, Honors students are recognized at the University Scholar Reception, are presented with Honors medallions, receive an Honors Sweater, have their own study area, and attend Senior Honor Research Project Presentations. Graduating Honors student transcripts list their Honors accomplishments. Students in the following majors have the option of choosing either the Standard Honors Program requirements or a Specialized Sequence in Nursing, Music, Elementary Education or Special Education

From:	Academic Affairs Committee	Date:	October 22, 2007
This is a bulletin from the Academic Affairs Committee concerning proposed curricular actions. Please forward any comments or concerns in the next 10 days to the AAC chair, Premalatha Junius, G04C Belknap Hall, ext. 4588.