FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General Questions

Invitations and Certificates

Honors Cords and Medallions

Criteria

Numerous Honors Designations

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1.  What should I wear to the ceremony?

Business-casual attire is appropriate. 

2.  Where should I park for the university-wide Honors Day ceremony?

Student honorees and their guests may park in the parking lots to the east of the LBJ Library (Lots 38, 39 and 40 near Sid Richardson Hall) or in the San Jacinto or Speedway garages.  People with disabilities involving mobility may use the reserved spaces on Robert Dedman Drive that are indicated by the signs with the wheelchair symbol.  Consult the Honors Day parking information for more details.

3.  Where do I go once I arrive on campus for the university-wide Honors Day ceremony in the Bass Concert Hall and have found a place to park?

Student honorees should check in at the breezeway, north of the Performing Arts Center (PAC) and south of the School of Music (MRH) 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.  After checking in, honorees will be lined up for the procession into the hall.  Signs will be placed around the Performing Arts Center to help with directions.

4.  Should my parents and guests join me to check in for the program?

Parents and guests attending the university-wide Honors Day ceremony should plan to enter the Bass Concert Hall from the main entrance on the south side of the Performing Arts Center complex (across from the stadium).  They should proceed to this entrance and not join student honorees in the check-in area.

5.  Is it possible to invite my favorite faculty member to join me for the Honors Day ceremony? 

Student honorees may invite a faculty member to join them for the Honors Day ceremony. Faculty guests will meet student honorees at the check-in area, participate with the student honorees in the procession and be seated next to the student honorees during the ceremony.  It is optional student honorees to invite faculty guests to join them for the Honors Day ceremony. Many students use this opportunity to show their appreciation to a faculty member who has been particularly helpful or important in their lives and who has been influential in helping them with their academic accomplishments.

6. What should I do if I am a student with a disability and require special accommodations?

Student honorees with disabilities are encouraged to contact their college or school representative if they are in need of special accommodations for the university-wide Honors Day ceremony. 

Students with mobility impairments who require special accommodations are encouraged to make those needs known at the information table when they check in.  This is especially important for Distinguished College Scholars who will need to proceed to the stage during the ceremony for presentation of their Honors Day medallions.

A sign-language interpreter will be present on stage throughout the ceremony for those students with hearing impairments.  Seating will be reserved close to the stage on the left side (as you face the stage) for those who are in need of this accommodation.

INVITATIONS AND CERTIFICATES

1.  What should I do if I receive two invitations for Honors Day?

Honors Day is composed of two complementary events, the university-wide ceremony held in Bass Concert Hall and a college/school convocation that may include individual recognition of each student scholar as well as a social function hosted by the dean.  

In addition to the invitation sent from President Powers to the university-wide ceremony, it is likely that a student honoree will receive a separate invitation to a convocation planned by individual colleges and schools.  Schedules of the two events are complementary so student honorees may attend both.

2. What should I do if I did not receive an invitation? 

First, review the criteria carefully to be sure you qualify to participate in Honors Day.  Contact your academic adviser.  He or she will review your record.  If your eligibility is confirmed, your adviser will contact the appropriate individuals to be sure you receive an invitation.

3. Which university-wide Honors Day ceremony should I attend if I am a student with more than one major and the two college/schools in which I'm enrolled are not included in the same ceremony?

Student honorees enrolled in more than one college receive the singular university-wide honor of being named either a Distinguished Scholar or College Scholar.  The university-wide Honors Day ceremony in the Bass Concert Hall is the same program and most speakers repeat for both groupings of colleges/schools listed on the schedule.  Students with majors in more than one college may attend either university-wide Honors Day ceremony or both.  Student honorees are encouraged to consider the individual honors also bestowed by each college and school at their distinct convocations in consideration of which university-wide ceremony to attend.

4.  When will I receive my Honors Day certificate?

Honors Day certificates will be mailed beginning April 6, 2009. 

5.  Whom should I contact if I have not received my Honors Day Certificate by April 20? Whom should I contact if my certificate is damaged or has an error?

Contact Melissa Huddleston in the Office of Relationship Management and University Events.

HONORS CORDS AND MEDALLIONS

1.  Who receives Honors Day medallions? 

Each year, a unique medallion is given to those who qualify as Distinguished College Scholars.  The medallions are presented by the dean of each college or school as a part of the university-wide Honors Day ceremony in the Bass Concert Hall.  College and school marshals will lead Distinguished College Scholars onto the stage at the appropriate point in the ceremony. 

2.  Who receives Honors Day honors cords?

All Distinguished College Scholars and College Scholars will receive university honors cords as they check in for the university-wide Honors Day ceremony in the Bass Concert Hall.

3.  If I am unable to attend the university-wide ceremony, is it still possible to receive an honors cord and a medallion?

Honor cords are guaranteed for College Scholars and honor cords and medallions are guaranteed for Distinguished College Scholars attending the university-wide Honors Day ceremony in the Bass Concert Hall.  Following the ceremony, those unable to attend may check with their college/school representative to see if cords and medallions are still available.

CRITERIA

1.  What are the criteria for being named a Distinguished College Scholar or College Scholar?

Criteria for participation in the Honors Day program are listed on the general information page. 

2.  Who determines the criteria for Honors Day?

The Educational Policy Committee of the Faculty Council recommends the criteria for participation in Honors Day.  Criteria are voted on and approved by the full Faculty Council.  Details are published in the Undergraduate Catalogue . 

3.  Whom should I contact if I have questions about Honors Day criteria?

Student honorees with specific questions about their eligibility for Honors Day should contact their academic adviser within their college or school. 

NUMEROUS HONORS DESIGNATIONS

1. What is the difference between being designated a "Distinguished College Scholar" or "College Scholar" for Honors Day and receiving "University Honors"?

Designation as a "Distinguished College Scholar" or "College Scholar" for Honors Day is a reflection of cumulative academic achievement.  Students receive these honors in the junior and senior years of their university career.  These designations reflect a high grade-point average as well as the rigor of course work during two of the past three long semesters, based on the number of hours a student has been enrolled.  These honors are bestowed each spring at the annual Honors Day ceremony.  Recipients are eligible students who meet criteria established by the Faculty Council and published in the undergraduate course catalogue.

2. If I am named a "Distinguished College Scholar" or "College Scholar" for Honors Day, does that mean I will graduate "with honors"?

Designation as a "Distinguished College Scholar" or "College Scholar" for Honors Day can be awarded up to three times in the academic career of a student, beginning in the junior year and continuing through the fifth year of study for those in specified undergraduate programs.  Designation as a "Distinguished College Scholar" or "College Scholar" for Honors Day is distinct from and not associated with graduating "with honors."

Graduating "with honors" is the singular designation given to undergraduates at the culmination of their academic studies at the university.  This designation is printed on university diplomas.

To be eligible to graduate "with honors," students must have completed at least 60 semester hours at the university and have a cumulative grade-point average which falls into the top percentage range for all the degree recipients within a particular college or school.  Please note the specific cumulative grade-point average required for this designation is determined by the overall accomplishments of a graduating class within each college or school.  It is not a fixed grade-point average.

For more information about designation as a "Distinguished College Scholar" or "College Scholar" for Honors Day or to learn more about "University Honors" and graduating "with honors," please consult the undergraduate course catalogue. 

3. What is the process for petitioning for an exception to the Honors Day Criteria if I feel there are extenuating circumstances that would allow me to be qualified?

If students feel they should be granted an exception to the criteria for being named a College Scholar or a Distinguished College Scholar they should first contact their college or school academic adviser. If they feel the issue has not been satisfactorily resolved they may appeal to their college or school dean. If the dean feels the issue is worthy of consideration by the Provost's Office, he or she may request an exception be granted by the Provost by appealing to Vice Provost Terri Givens. This request must come in writing from the dean. Requests made by students directly will not be considered by the Office of the Provost.