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The USI Honors Program
Presentation to the USI Foundation Board of DirectorsDane M. Partridge, Ph.D.Associate Professor of ManagementDirector, Honors ProgramNovember 17, 2005
Mission
“The Honors Program will support our continuing effort to improve educational opportunities for all university students and will encourage more highly motivated students to reach their full potential in the classroom, the larger campus, and the wider community.”
Background
Program admitted first students Fall 1998
First University Honors Scholars graduated May 2001 53 University Honors
Scholars have graduated to this point
To date, ~ 600 students have been accepted into Program
Presently, ~ 260 students currently enrolled at USI are in Program
Admission
1200+ SAT or 27+ ACT automatically accepted upon application (w/3.0+ hs gpa)
Others may apply (GPA, class rank, etc.)
1998-2005, number of “automatic qualifiers” applying to USI increased 117% USI is increasingly a
“school of choice” for top students in IN, as well as IL and KY!
Program
Enhanced opportunities
Smaller classes Priority registration Honors housing
Theme floors now Living Learning Communities
Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs)
Designation on Diploma
Requirements
21 hours Honors credit coursework (~3 hrs/semester), “A” or “B”, 3.25 overall GPA Hons 101: Issues for
the 21st Century University core/major
Honors sections, Honors contracts
Senior synthesis Service learning
requirement pending “Broader in
scope/greater in depth”
Student Status (through Spring 2005)Graduated, University Honors Scholar
53
Graduated, did not complete Program
101
Currently enrolled, good standing (both active and inactive)
162
Currently enrolled, probation
36
Probation, dismissed 75Withdrew from USI 102Resigned from Program
10
Total 539
Distribution of Continuing Students, by School (and most common majors)Fall
2002Fall
2003Fall
2004Fall
2005
Science and Engineering (Biology)
29 39 59 61
Liberal Arts (English and Psychology)
52 61 54 49
Business (Accounting) 33 31 36 33Nursing and Health Professions (Nursing)
18 23 23 25
Education and Human Services (Elem Ed)
23 22 18 24
Undecided 24 9 14 6Total 179 185 204 198
Incoming Freshmen (“Automatic Qualifiers”)
Incoming Fall Accepted by USI Enrolled at USI(as % of those accepted)
Joined Honors Program (as % of those enrolled)
1998 140 65 (46%) 21 (32%)
1999 161 78 (48%) 39 (50%)
2000 176 93 (53%) 38 (41%)
2001 248 118 (48%) 56 (47%)
2002 239 98 (41%) 48 (49%)
2003 257 115 (45%) 55 (48%)
2004 250 118 (47%) 52 (44%)
2005 304[1] 130 (43%) 50 (38%)[1] “Accepted” as of August 16, 2005; “enrolled” and “joined” as of August 17, 2005. Note that 33 of the 130 enrolled had a HS GPA < 3.0,which would lead to a deferral of an application to the Honors Program; the adjusted ‘join rate’ is 52%.
Conclusions re: Mission, Purpose, Goals, and Expectations For students:
Improved and expanded educational opportunities (esp in form of independent study and tutorial relationships with faculty)
Honors Living-Learning Community Distinction of graduation as University Honors
Scholar Identification with community of motivated students
For faculty: Challenges and rewards provided by working with
intellectually capable and highly motivated students For University:
Assists in attraction of talented students and recognition of academic excellence
Toward NCHC “Fully-Developed Honors Program” Important foundation laid in Program’s
first seven years Identifying targeted student population by
clearly articulated set of criteria Clear mandate from institutional
administration Program Director reports to Assistant VPAA Program requirements involve substantial
portion of participants’ coursework Establishment of Honors Faculty Council
and Student Council
Toward NCHC “Fully-Developed Honors Program” Mixed progress re:
Program’s visibility and reputation in terms of providing standards and models of excellence Anecdotal evidence suggests Program becoming better known and
supported Faculty participation and selection
More faculty members need to become involved in teaching Honors courses
Academic advising Many Honors students have made minimal use of Honors advisors
Laboratory for innovation Most Honors courses involve contract sections of existing
Core Opportunities for Honors students to participate in
regional and national conferences Lilly Initiative will provide funding, including Study Abroad
Toward NCHC “Fully-Developed Honors Program” Items needing attention:
Honors curriculum featuring special courses, seminars, colloquia, and independent study Most Honors courses to this point involve contract
sections of existing Core Program formulation relating to areas of
concentration Ditto
Suitable quarters constituting an Honors center with such facilities such as an Honors library, lounge, reading rooms, PCs, and other appropriate décor
Recommended