Recognition of Academic Achievement

1996-1997 Undergraduate Catalog

RECOGNITION of ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

New Mexico State has a number of university-wide programs that recognize academic achievement. These include the Honors Certificate Program, the University Honors Program, the Crimson Scholars Program, the Centennial Scholars Program, dean's report of academic achievement, and graduation with honors. In addition, many colleges and departments have their own programs and awards that recognize academic achievement in their students.

University Honors Program

There are two program options available to students: University Honors Program and the Honors Certificate Program. Each option has separate eligibility requirements, benefits, and forms of recognition for the student. All honors courses fulfill university general education requirements. Questions about the Honors Program can be directed to the honors director, Box 30001, Dept. 3H, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001.

Honors Core Program. Admission to the University Honors Program is available to new entering freshmen with a minimum ACT standard composite score of 26. For new freshmen, continued participation in the University Honors Program is contingent on maintaining a GPA of 3.3; sophomores, juniors, and seniors must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5. Any student not meeting minimum eligibility requirements may petition the honors director for admission to the program. Letters of recommendation, interviews, and other evaluations of a student's record can be used to determine eligibility.

Any student who attains an overall GPA of 3.5-3.749 and who completes 15 credits of honors course work and the honors thesis is eligible to graduate with University Honors. Students who attain an average of 3.75 or better and who complete 15 credits of honors course work and the honors thesis are eligible to graduate with Distinction in University Honors. Transcripts will certify graduation with University Honors or Distinction in University Honors. Students who complete the required 15 hours of honors course work and the honors thesis with a minimum GPA of 3.5 will receive recognition in the commencement program and a Certificate of Distinction upon graduation.

University Honors Requirements

Freshman-Sophomore Years

Three courses from the Honors Core

9 cr.

Junior-Senior Years

Two 300-level Honors Certificate Program courses	6 cr.
Honors Thesis	3 cr.
Total Credits Required	18 cr.

Honors Certificate Program. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 are eligible for the Honors Certificate Program. A student who completes at least two 300-level honors seminars will be given a Certificate of Distinction at graduation and special recognition in the commencement program. See the honors director for details on available seminars, Honors Program Center, Room 201, Hardman Hall.

Crimson Scholars program

To be eligible for the Crimson Scholars Program, new entering freshmen must hav e a minimum ACT standard composite score of 26 or a minimum SAT composite score of 1070 . Eligibility for currently enrolled students is a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 for 15 or more graded* credits at NMSU. Freshmen entering on an ACT score must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 to continue in the program until they complete 28 graded* credits; sophomores, juniors, and seniors must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and be currently enrolled in seven or more graded* credits per semester to retain their Crimson Scholars status. Transfer students must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA for 15 graded credits from their previous institution(s) or complete 15 or more graded* credits at NMSU for eligibility. Students designated as Crimson Scholars whose cumulative GPA's drop below the required 3.5 will be dropped from the program. If in the following semester, the student's cumulative GPA again meets the minimum requirement, the student will automatically be reinstated. If dropped from the program for two consecutive semesters, the student may petition for reentry into the program once a cumulative GPA of 3.5 is regained.

In recognition of the student's academic achievement, a statement designating Crimson Scholar is placed on the student's transcript and grade mailer. To be designated in the commencement program as a Crimson Scholar graduate, a student must complete a minimum of four semesters (semesters need not be consecutive) in the program and must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. Students who complete two semesters as Crimson Scholars and who are eligible for their third semester receive a lapel pin. Crimson Scholars are entitled to early registration and library privileges. Additional information is available from the Crimson/ Centennial Scholars Office, room 119, Hadley Hall, (505) 646-2542 or from Crimson Scholars college coordinators.

*Does not include S/U, I, or audit course designations.

Centennial Scholars Program

Applicants to the Centennial Scholars Program must meet specific eligibility criteria. Applicants must

be attending the main campus or the Doña Ana Branch campus,

be enrolled as part-time students carrying no more than six
graded* credits,

be degree-seeking,

have a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and

have accumulated a minimum of 28 graded credits at NMSU.

Students who have exercised the adjusted credit option are not eligible for the program.

In recognition of the student's academic achievement, a statement designating Centennial Scholar is placed on the student's transcript and grade mailer after the completion of nine credits. Students who receive
three Centennial Scholar designations will receive a lapel pin. Recognition in the commencement program will occur once the student has received six designations as a Centennial Scholar. Centennial Scholars are entitled to early registration and library privileges. Additional information is available from the Crimson/Centennial Scholars Office, Room 119, Hadley Hall, (505) 646-2542 or from Centennial Scholars college coordinators.

*Does not include S/U, I, or audit course designations.

NOTE: Crimson and Centennial Scholars status are not interchangeable. Requirements for a status change are available from the Crimson/Centennial Scholars Office.

Dean's Report of Academic Achievement

Following the close of the semester, each college dean publishes a list of students who have achieved honor standing in grades for the previous semester. To be eligible, a student must have been enrolled in 12 or more semester credits with a computable grade in each. The top 15 percent of eligible students by college for that semester will be named to the Dean's Honor List.

Graduation with Honors

To be eligible for four-year degrees with honors, a student must have earned at least 60 semester credits in computable grades while in residence at New Mexico State. (Courses taken under the Honors Certificate Program or the University Honors Program and graded S will be counted as a part of the minimum of 60 credits.)The number of students at graduation, by college, receiving degrees with honors in any one year shall not exceed 15 percent; the number receiving high honors shall not exceed 1.5 percent, and the number receiving highest honors shall not exceed one person from each college. In the case of a tie, the student with the greater number of computable grades will receive highest honors . Of the six students receiving highest honors , the one with the highest grade-point average and the greatest number of credits earned at NMSU with computable grades will be awarded the Class of 1919 Scholarship Plaque.

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