The USI Honors Program

Presentation to the USI Foundation Board of DirectorsDane M. Partridge, Ph.D.Associate Professor of ManagementDirector, Honors ProgramNovember 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 Program admitted first

students Fall 1998 First University

Honors Scholars graduated May 2001 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

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% USI is increasingly a

“school of choice” for top students in IN, as well as IL and KY!

Program

Enhanced opportunities

Smaller classes Priority registration Honors housing

Theme floors now Living Learning Communities

Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs)

Designation on Diploma

Requirements 21 hours Honors

credit coursework (~3 hrs/semester), “A” or “B”, 3.25 overall GPA Hons 101: Issues for

the 21st Century University core/major

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

36

Probation, dismissed 75Withdrew from USI 102Resigned from Program

10

Total 539

Distribution of Continuing Students, by School (and most common majors)Fall

2002Fall

2003Fall

2004Fall

2005Science and Engineering (Biology)

29 39 59 61

Liberal Arts (English and Psychology)

52 61 54 49

Business (Accounting) 33 31 36 33Nursing and Health Professions (Nursing)

18 23 23 25

Education and Human Services (Elem Ed)

23 22 18 24

Undecided 24 9 14 6Total 179 185 204 198

Incoming Freshmen (“Automatic Qualifiers”)Incoming Fall Accepted by USI Enrolled at USI

(as % of those accepted)

Joined Honors Program (as % of those enrolled)

1998 140 65 (46%) 21 (32%)1999 161 78 (48%) 39 (50%)2000 176 93 (53%) 38 (41%)2001 248 118 (48%) 56 (47%)2002 239 98 (41%) 48 (49%)2003 257 115 (45%) 55 (48%)2004 250 118 (47%) 52 (44%)2005 304[1] 130 (43%) 50 (38%)

[1] “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%.

Conclusions re: Mission, Purpose, Goals, and Expectations For students:

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

For faculty: Challenges and rewards provided by working with

intellectually capable and highly motivated students For University:

Assists in attraction of talented students and recognition of academic excellence

Toward NCHC “Fully-Developed Honors Program” Important foundation laid in Program’s

first seven years 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” Mixed progress re:

Program’s visibility and reputation in terms of providing standards and models of excellence Anecdotal evidence suggests Program becoming better known and

supported Faculty participation and selection

More faculty members need to become involved in teaching Honors courses

Academic advising Many Honors students have made minimal use of Honors advisors

Laboratory for innovation Most Honors courses involve contract sections of existing Core

Opportunities for Honors students to participate in regional and national conferences Lilly Initiative will provide funding, including Study Abroad

Toward NCHC “Fully-Developed Honors Program” Items needing attention:

Honors curriculum featuring special courses, seminars, colloquia, and independent study Most Honors courses to this point involve contract

sections of existing Core Program formulation relating to areas of

concentration Ditto

Suitable quarters constituting an Honors center with such facilities such as an Honors library, lounge, reading rooms, PCs, and other appropriate décor