Senate revises policy on honors for graduates
New criteria for the awarding of honors to graduating seniors were adopted Dec. 11 by the Faculty Senate.
The vote marks a shift away from the policy that only Commonwealth College students are eligible for summa cum laude or magna cum laude honors, which are based on minimum grade point averages and completion of college requirements, including a research thesis, project or major creative work.
Under the new policy, “Latin honors” will be based on the student’s GPA and Commonwealth College honors graduates will be eligible for additional recognition. According to a Rules Committee report, the new policy is in line with rules at comparable universities, such as the University at Buffalo, Rutgers and Connecticut, and will create new honors for Commonwealth College graduates.
The change is also expected to reduce enrollment at Commonwealth College by removing an incentive for many students to enroll. The college currently enrolls more than 18 percent of undergraduates and a smaller student body would allow it to use its resources more effectively, said the report.
Summa cum laude honors will be accorded to students whose GPA is among the top 5 percent in the graduating class of their school or college.
If a student’s GPA is among the top 10 percent of their school or college class, but not in the top 5 percent, magna cum laude honors will be awarded.
Students in the top 25 percent of their school or college class, but not in the upper 10 percent, will receive their degrees cum laude.
Based on the average of the previous three years’ graduating classes, the registrar will annually compute the GPAs needed to secure a place in the top 5, 10 or 25 percent in each school and college. Results will be posted on the Registrar’s Office website and will be used to determine the honors for the current year.
In addition, the Commonwealth College Curriculum Committee and dean, using criteria to be determined, may recommend students who have completed college requirements to be given one of the following designations: Commonwealth College Scholar with the greatest distinction; Commonwealth College Scholar with great distinction; Commonwealth College Scholar with distinction; and Commonwealth College Scholar.
Students who qualify for Latin honors and Commonwealth College recognition will receive both.
December 12, 2008.
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