March 6, 2017

HONORS COUNCIL MINUTES:   March 6, 2017

PRESENT:  Kevin Dodson, Rebekah Maxwell, Kumar Das, Jeff Palis, Nicki Michalski, Michael Saar, Anna Christensen, Clare Burns, Gina Hale, Kathy Fraccastoro, Mike Matthis, Andrea Karlin and Xenia Fedorchenko.

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

DEAN’S REPORT:

Dr. Dodson discussed the civic leadership program where we are going to be putting honors students on the boards of non-profit boards. 

The schedule is set-up for Great Plains Honors Council conference.  There are over 150 oral presentations and 88 posters.

BUSINESS:

Minutes from February 6, 2017 meeting will be reviewed at next meeting.

The amended Reasons for Removal from the Reaud Honors College policy was presented to council.  Upon motion by Michael Saar, seconded by Kathy Fraccastoro, the policy was approved.

Dr. Dodson proposed increasing the funding for the 2017-2018 honors study abroad course from $1,000 to $1,500 for Mirabeau and $1,500 to $2,000 for non-Mirabeau students.  This course is currently listed on the syllabus as GEOL-4301 but should be taught as an Honors Topics course (HNRS-4364).  Upon motion by Clare Burns, seconded by Kumer Das, proposed increase of funding for honors study abroad was approved.

Dr. Dodson discussed senior thesis and is looking to find out what other departments are doing within the degree plans to fulfill a senior project requirement.

We currently require 70 honors points from students. Council decided that half of these points should come from Lamar University events and organizations.

Meeting adjourned at 4:20pm. 

Submitted by:  Kim Vizena, Executive Assistant