HONORS COUNCIL MINUTES:   April 1, 2019

PRESENT:  Kevin Dodson, Rebekah Maxwell, Nicki Michalski, Clare Burns, Kathy Fraccastoro, Rebecca Boone, Gina Hale, Michael Saar, Larry Allen, Ana Christensen, and Raymond Doe.

Meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by Dr. Kevin Dodson.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Minutes from the September 24, 2018 and November 26, 2018 Council meetings were read. Dr. Kathy Fraccastoro moved to approve the minutes as read, Ms. Clare Burns seconded, and the motion passed.

DEAN’S REPORT:

Dodson reminded everyone of the summer reading program and reported on the professors participating thus far. If anyone else is interested in leading a summer read, please let Dodson know as soon as possible.

There was discussion about what qualifies as non-course credit. Moving forward, REUs and research grand projects will be awarded six hours of non-course credit. Presenting research outside of Lamar University will be awarded three hours of non-course credit. Dodson has the ability to use his judgment on the exact number of hours awarded based on work involved. Local presentations in Southeast Texas and Lamar University will only count if it is part of an REU or grant funded project.

It was also discussed to lower the eligibility for non-course credit from coming into the Reaud Honors College with eighteen credit hours down to fifteen credit hours. Dr. Larry Allen moved to lower the eligibility requirement to fifteen credit hours, Dr. Gina Hale seconded, and the motion passed.

Accepted activities for High Impact Educational Practice was discussed. It was recommended by Dodson to allow SGA officers to count their leadership as a Service Learning project with a written report. At this time, this option will only be available to honors students who are elected to SGA officers.

Dodson discussed the HNRS 101: Honors Leadership course which will be for incoming freshmen in fall 2019. This will be a five week, zero-hour, online course freshmen take to get acquainted with ePortfolios and Honors.

NEW BUSINESS:

The chance from Honors Points to Honors Experiences was discussed. Dodson emphasized the purpose being to simplify the process, offer flexibility to students, help students build on their passion rather than requirements, and it being easier to tally on the ePortfolio. It was discussed that there still needs to be a diversified experience for the students and the importance of community building through the process. It was also recommended to have one requirement for an experience to be outside of their academic discipline. Originally twelve activities per year were presented, it was discussed and decided to move to only ten activities per year being required. Fraccastoro moved to accept the change, Dr. Ana Christensen seconded, the motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 4:23pm. Moved to adjourn by Hale and seconded by Dr. Nicki Michalski. 

Submitted by:  Rebekah Maxwell, Coordinator