“What’s the deal with Honors Points?”

This is a question that many students in the Honors Program inevitably find themselves asking during their college careers. Some following questions may include: “What can I do with Honors Points that I’ve earned?”, “How do I know how many Honors Points I have?”, “Is there a required number of Honors Points I need in order to graduate?”, or, “Is it possible to lose Honors Points?”

The Honors Program may seem intimidating or confusing to both under and upperclassmen. I know this is true for me, as my introduction to the Honors Program was complicated by the onset of COVID-19 and a pivot to virtual schooling. Over the past year, I have noticed that many of my Honors peers seem to share confusion when it comes to getting the most out of being in the Honors Program. To answer these questions and to provide guidance for the next generation of Honors students, I will be starting an explanatory series on the blog that seeks to demystify the program and its offerings. 

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What are Honors Points?

Honors Points are essentially a record of the number of Honors activities and events in which you have participated. For every event, the Honors Program notes your attendance and gives you a corresponding point. Ways in which Honors students earn points, many times without even knowing it, are by going to Honors Student Government meetings, attending service or social events, contributing to the Honorable Mentions newsletter, or by seeing a visiting speaker. 

What can students do with Honors Points?

As you participate more in the Honors community, you will accumulate Honors Points. After reaching 10 points, you receive something called Honors Partnership. As a partner of the Honors Program, you are eligible to run for Honors Student Government, apply for employment in the Honors office, or serve as an Honors Mentor. Partnership also means you can present your academic work at the Honors Student Conference. 

How do I know how many Honors Points I have?

This has recently become extremely easy! On D2L, all Honors students should be able to access the Honors Program Points course page. Here, you can see a record of the events you have attended and the points you have earned thus far. This will continue to be updated and will serve as a living document for all Honors students. If you’ve already received partnership, you should also be able to see a separate D2L course page informing you of this. 

Do I need to earn Honors Points to stay in the program?

Honors Points are not a requirement for Honors students. There is no minimum number of Honors Points that students need to graduate or stay in the Honors Program. That being said, receiving Honors Points allows students to form closer connections with Honors faculty and get more out of their Honors experience. Honors Points also allow students to graduate from the program with Honors Distinction. 

Can you lose Honors Points?

Honors Points stay with you for as long as you are in the Honors Program. They are accumulative; you cannot “spend” them nor do they reset each year. For as long as you are an Honors student, you can only ever gain Honors Points. 

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Hopefully, I have concisely answered some of your questions surrounding Honors Points. If you ever have questions or concerns regarding Honors Points, feel free to reach out to us at the Honors Blog or to your respective Honors advisor. Participation in the Honors Program is a great way to expand your education and to form meaningful relationships with other students, so I encourage you to go out there and start earning them! We love to see students participating and contributing to our bustling Honors community!

For more information, visit the Honors Points page on the blog