Honors Program

In order to be eligible for the Honors Program, you must be an incoming student (first-time freshman, transfer or part-time) who meets at least two of the following three criteria:

• 3.5 cumulative GPA
• The top 10 percentile of your high school class
• ACT score of 26 or higher

Incoming students must also complete an entrance interview with honors Program coordinators.

As a Briar Cliff University honors student, you will be expected to:

• Complete a total of 18 credit hours of honor courses or equivalent experiences; including participation in at least one "Honors Seminar" and customization of one course within your major or field of study.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.33 or above.
• Complete 10 hours of community service each year along with a service project organized by the Honors Program.
• Participate in a leadership role within the Briar Cliff or your own community 
• Display a high level of character and act in accordance with the policies outlined in the Briar Cliff University handbook.
• Participate in the Honors Program monthly meetings.
• Participate in the senior research exhibition.

Incoming freshmen, transfer students, and part-time students may apply for membership upon meeting the aforementioned requirements, and completing an entrance interview.

1. Any student with two or more disciplinary actions within an academic year will be put on Honors probation or subject to dismissal.
2. Any student failing to meet cumulative GPA requirements, or any requirement listed in numbers 1-3 of section
3. will be put on Honors probation or subject to dismissal.
4. Any student who fails to complete 15 hours of documented service per year will be put on Honors probation or subject to dismissal.
5. Any student who fails to attend 4 Honors Program meetings throughout the duration of the year will be put on Honors probation or subject to dismissal.

*Grounds for dismissal are subject to appeal by members.*

***Honors students on probation will be wait-listed for travel experiences or funding of scholarly activities.

Positions And Terms

The executive officers are: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All officers will be elected in the fall of each academic year for a term of one calendar year.

President:

1. Conduct all meetings
2. Execute all resolutions
3. Work in conjunction with the Vice President to maintain the accuracy of information housed on the Honors Program webpage.

Vice President:

1. Perform all duties of the President in his/her absence
2. Assist the President in all decisions made and actions taken by the organization
3. Supervise any committees formed by the organization
4. Work in conjunction with the President to maintain the accuracy of information housed on the Honors Program webpage.

Secretary:

1. Record and post the proceedings of all general meetings, including attendance
2. Enact and maintain all official correspondence within the Academic Year
3. Submit all required forms to Briar Cliff Student Government (or other necessary committee, organizations, etc.)
4. Track and send notifications of Honors Program requirement statuses each semester.

Treasurer:

1. Receive and disperse all funds for the organization
2. Maintain records of all financial transactions
3. Supervise all fundraising activities
4. Submit all required monetary forms to Briar Cliff Student Government (or other necessary committee, organizations, etc.)

Advisor/Director: The acting director of the Honors Program is Paul Korchin.

About the Executive Committee 

Members: The Executive Committee shall consist of the four executive officers who will:

1.  Determine administrative policy
2. Manage the property and business of the organization with the help of the coordinator
3. Originate committees and select chairpersons

Meetings Executive Committee meetings will be held at least once a month; meetings will be in attendance by the committee members and the director.

Frequency

General meetings shall be held at least once a month, with dates, times, and locations posted well in advance.

Voting

All eligible members may vote. Coordinator and Executive members’ votes shall be included in the total vote count. Must be in attendance to vote. Majority rules. Any amendments to the constitution must be read at two, consecutive general meetings and receive a two-thirds majority to be enacted.

Dues

Membership dues shall be determined yearly by the Executive Committee

Nominations

Nominations for positions shall be taken at a specified meeting during spring semester of the proceeding year.

Elections

The winner of an election will be the member who receives the majority of a general membership vote.