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?

Complimentary parking will be available in the Brazos Garage (BRG), located at Brazos Street and East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Please inform the attendant that you are attending the Honors Day Ceremony.  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 Gregory Gymnasium and have found a place to park?

Student honorees should check in at Gregory Gymnasium Annex, 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.  After checking in, honorees will be lined up for the procession.  Directional signs will be placed around Gregory Gymnasium to guide honorees and their guests. 

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 enter Gregory Gymnasium at its main entrance. They should proceed directly 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 student honorees in the procession and be seated next to them during the ceremony.  It is optional for a student honoree to invite faculty guests to join them for the Honors Day ceremony. Many students utilize 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 who are deaf or of hard of hearing.  Seating will be reserved close to the stage on the left side (as you face the stage) for those in need of this accommodation.

INVITATIONS AND CERTIFICATES

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

Honors Day is comprised of two complementary events, the university-wide ceremony held in Gregory Gymnasium 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 formal invitation sent for 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 advisor.  He or she will review your record.  If your eligibility is confirmed, your advisor 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 the same ceremony?

Student honorees enrolled in more than one college receive the single university-wide honor of being named either a Distinguished College Scholar or College Scholar.  The university-wide Honors Day ceremony in the Gregory Gymnasium is the same program and most speakers repeat for both groupings of colleges and schools listed on the schedule.  Students with majors in more than one college may attend either university-wide Honors Day ceremony or both should they choose.  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 14, 2008. 

5.  Who should I contact if I have not received my Honors Day Certificate by April 28? Who should I contact if my certificate is damaged or has an error?

Contact Lisa Camero 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 Gregory Gymnasium. 

2.  Who receives Honors Day honors cords?

All Distinguished College Scholars and College Scholars will receive university honors cords when they check in for the university-wide Honors Day ceremony in Gregory Gymnasium.

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 for College Scholars and honor cords and medallions for Distinguished College Scholars are only guaranteed for those attending the university-wide Honors Day ceremony in Gregory Gymnasium.  Those unable to attend the ceremony may check with their college/school representative starting on Monday, April 14, 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.  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 advisor 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.