The USI Honors Program Presentation to the USI

The USI Honors Program Presentation to the USI Foundation Board of Directors Dane M. Partridge, Ph. D. Associate Professor of Management Director, Honors Program November 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 n n Program admitted first students Fall 1998 First University Honors Scholars graduated May 2001 q n n 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 n 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% q USI is increasingly a “school of choice” for top students in IN, as well as IL and KY!

Program n n Enhanced opportunities Smaller classes Priority registration Honors housing q q n Theme floors now Living Learning Communities Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs) Designation on Diploma

Requirements n 21 hours Honors credit coursework (~3 hrs/semester), “A” or “B”, 3. 25 overall GPA q q Hons 101: Issues for the 21 st Century University core/major n q q q 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 Probation, dismissed Withdrew from USI Resigned from Program Total 36 75 102 10 539

Distribution of Continuing Students, by School (and most common majors) Fall 2002 Fall 2003 Fall 2004 Fall 2005 Science and Engineering (Biology) 29 39 59 61 Liberal Arts (English and Psychology) 52 61 54 49 Business (Accounting) 33 31 36 33 Nursing and Health Professions (Nursing) 18 23 23 25 Education and Human Services (Elem Ed) 23 22 18 24 24 179 9 185 14 204 6 198 Undecided Total

Incoming Freshmen (“Automatic Qualifiers”) Incoming Fall Accepted by USI Enrolled at USI Joined Honors (as % of those Program (as % of accepted) those enrolled) 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 140 161 176 248 239 65 (46%) 78 (48%) 93 (53%) 118 (48%) 98 (41%) 21 (32%) 39 (50%) 38 (41%) 56 (47%) 48 (49%) 2003 2004 2005 257 250 304[1] 115 (45%) 118 (47%) 130 (43%) 55 (48%) 52 (44%) 50 (38%) “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%. [1]

Conclusions re: Mission, Purpose, Goals, and Expectations n For students: q q n For faculty: q n 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 Challenges and rewards provided by working with intellectually capable and highly motivated students For University: q Assists in attraction of talented students and recognition of academic excellence

Toward NCHC “Fully-Developed Honors Program” n Important foundation laid in Program’s first seven years q q q 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” n Mixed progress re: q Program’s visibility and reputation in terms of providing standards and models of excellence n q Faculty participation and selection n q Many Honors students have made minimal use of Honors advisors Laboratory for innovation n q More faculty members need to become involved in teaching Honors courses Academic advising n q Anecdotal evidence suggests Program becoming better known and supported Most Honors courses involve contract sections of existing Core Opportunities for Honors students to participate in regional and national conferences n Lilly Initiative will provide funding, including Study Abroad

Toward NCHC “Fully-Developed Honors Program” n Items needing attention: q Honors curriculum featuring special courses, seminars, colloquia, and independent study n q Program formulation relating to areas of concentration n q Most Honors courses to this point involve contract sections of existing Core Ditto Suitable quarters constituting an Honors center with such facilities such as an Honors library, lounge, reading rooms, PCs, and other appropriate décor