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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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 Trinity Street garage. People with disabilities involving mobility may use any reserved spaces that are indicated by the signs with the wheelchair symbol. There are several spaces available in parking lot #118 to the north of the Erwin Center as well as in parking lot #108 to the south of the building. 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 Erwin Center and have found a place to park?
Student honorees should check in at the Red River entrance at street level along Red River Street 45 minutes prior to the ceremony. After checking in, honorees will be lined up for the procession into the ceremony. Signs will be placed around the Erwin Center to help with directions.
4. Do I need to bring my UT identification card to check in at the Erwin Center?
Honorees must present their UT identification card when they check in at the Red River entrance of the Erwin Center. The ID cards will be scanned electronically to verify eligibility and to record attendance at the ceremony.
5. Should my parents and guests join me to check in for the program?
Parents and guests attending the university-wide Honors Day ceremony should enter the Erwin Center from the entrances on the arena level (upper level) on the north and south sides of the Erwin Center. They should proceed to this entrance and not join student honorees in the check-in area.
6. 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 their student honorees in the procession and be seated next to student honorees during the ceremony. It is optional for 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.
7. 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 need 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 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 for those who are in need of this service.
INVITATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
1. What should I do if I receive two invitations for Honors Day?
Honors Day may encompass two complementary events, the university-wide ceremony held at the Erwin Center and a college/school convocation that may include individual recognition of each student scholar as well as a social function hosted by the student's dean.
In addition to the e-mail invitation sent from President Powers to the university-wide ceremony, a student honoree may receive a separate invitation to a convocation planned by individual colleges and schools. Schedules of the two events are complementary so student honorees can attend both if they wish.
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. When will I receive my Honors Day certificate?
Honors Day certificates will be mailed to a student's permanent address beginning April 16, 2012.
4. Whom should I contact if I have not received my Honors Day Certificate by April 27 or if I receive my certificate and it is damaged or has an error?
Contact Melissa Huddleston in 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 Erwin Center. 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 at the Erwin Center.
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 at the Erwin Center. Following the ceremony, those unable to attend may check with their college/school representative to see if cords and medallions are still available.
CRITERIA AND ELIGIBILITY
1. What are the criteria for being named a Distinguished College Scholar or College Scholar?
Criteria for participation in the Honors Day program are available in the General Information Catalog (page 105-106).
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.
3. If I have more than one major, do I have to meet the criteria in both in order to be designated a Distinguished College Scholar or College Scholar?
Students must meet the criteria in all of the colleges and schools in which there is a declared major to be eligible as a Distinguished College Scholar or College Scholar.
4. Who 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 students whose grade-point averages are, at a minimum, in the top 4% and 20% of their college or school, respectively, and 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 General Information Catalog (page 105 - 106).
In contrast to the cumulative nature of being named a "Distinguished College Scholar" or "College Scholar," the distinction of receiving "University Honors" is awarded each semester. This designation is given to any undergraduate who is enrolled full-time, has earned at least 45 grade points for the semester and has achieved a grade-point average of at least 3.50 on courses completed in residence during the semester. An incomplete grade cannot be received.
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 General Information catalog (pages 105-106).
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