Open Discussion Session
On Honors College Issues

Tuesday, September 14,1999
7:30-9:30 am.
Adams House

Notes of M. Warmkessel

Dr. Robert Chabora (School of Humanities and Social Sciences); Dr. Carole Counihan (Sociology/Anthropology); Dr. Bonnie Duncan (English); Dr. Susan Luek (Psychology); Dr. Steven Miller (English); Dr. John Osborne (History); Dr. Marjorie Warmkessel (Library)

Discussion began with thoughts about what some of the opposition might be to the establishment of an honors college. Some people consider it an elitist idea, the misperception that honors courses are closed to those who might want to take only a course or two.

Ideas about what an honors college could be:

Curriculum and Special Courses

• Creation of courses in response to the world around us rather than a fixed curriculum.
• Give faculty the message that this is a gift to them to give them the opportunity as a growth experience.
• Special courses could require students to apply for competitive enrollment.
• Faculty would submit application/proposal in order to be considered for teaching a special course. Faculty could be called "seminar leaders" rather than. instructors.
• Perhaps topics could be tied to the academic theme or to other special activities and Programs
• Gain blanket prior approval for all such special courses-to count as Gen. Ed. courses.
• Perhaps have a generic course title that begins "Critical Perspectives in . ...."
• Idea for future consideration is the possibility of revising the core curriculum, moving away from emphasis on Western civilization.

Extended Academic Opportunities for Students

• Select outstanding student papers for inclusion in a published collection of essays. Could include student papers, faculty submissions, and work by other distinguished scholar.
• Hold a forum or student conference at end of spring semester (perhaps separate from Student Research Conference) to highlight research in progress of students in Honors College. Possibly a preview of thesis research.
• Coordinate student forums/conferences with other SSHE honors programs.
• Strengthen participation in National Collegiate Honors Council, especially encouraging students to participate in the regional meetings.

Extended opportunities for Faculty

• Have the Honors College sponsor workshops on faculty development in teaching honors courses. Pay a small stipend; make it a competitive application process. These workshops could be extended state wide.
• Hold a week-long workshop on a single focused topic (e.g. hatred) that cuts across many disciplines.
• Open up opportunities for faculty to teach honors courses through coordination with SSHE Summer Teaching Academy; pedagogy seminars; NEH grants.

Recruitment of Students

Questions about distribution of honors students. Why so few in Humanities and Social Sciences?

Possible answers:

• Students in science are working toward graduate school and students in education are working toward employment.
• In Humanities and Social Sciences a smaller number of students plan to go on to graduate school than in Sciences; information about graduate school options is not as visible in Hum/SS as in Science.
• Help students see other options for future careers.

Specific Recruitment ideas:

• Specifically recruit students from Humanities and Social Sciences
• Send memo to department chairs asking them to mention the Honors College in their talks at open houses.
• Have Pre-Law advisors involved in the open houses.
• Talk to IU 13 coordinator who has worked with B. Duncan on a special enrichment program for middle school students. Have other honors faculty get involved in this IU 13 program.
• Teach AP Honors courses via distance ed to high school students in county. Bring them together on campus for some weekends to let them get to know MU and each other.
• Identify students from local high schools to bring to campus, not necessarily for AP courses.