2018-2019 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Frederik Meijer Honors College - Program Description
Website: www.gvsu.edu/honors
Mission
The mission of the Frederik Meijer Honors College is to inspire and empower motivated students to be intellectually-curious lifelong learners who make positive contributions to their local and global communities, and serve as capable leaders and active global citizens.
Program Information
The Meijer Honors College at Grand Valley State University is intended for students who, in their previous academic work, have demonstrated a distinctly high level of motivation, creativity, and academic achievement. Drawing from all the undergraduate departments, the Meijer Honors College provides its students a program with special academic opportunities and challenges.
Designed to enhance and integrate the intellectual curiosity of students, Meijer Honors College courses help students expand their world views and promote personal development. The designation "Meijer Honors College Graduate" on a Grand Valley State University diploma and transcript recognizes the distinctive work of the students in the program.
The Meijer Honors College curriculum, with its emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, offers a distinctive way to fulfill the general education requirements of the university. Meijer Honors College courses, normally limited to twenty-five or fewer students, are uniquely structured in content and instruction for active learning and critical thinking. Sharing specially designed classes with other students of outstanding potential and motivation creates a special atmosphere in which important questions and student ideas are treated seriously. Uniquely qualified and carefully selected faculty drawn from many disciplines teach Meijer Honors College courses; in fact, many classes are team-taught, offering students significant individualized attention. Working with a faculty mentor, Honors students design and complete an independent project in their senior year.
The greater student-faculty interaction, as well as classes specially designed to foster advanced writing and speaking skills, critical thinking, and analysis, prepare students to be competitive for graduate and professional programs. Our students develop high levels of proficiency in research, writing, critical thinking, synthesizing material from multiple disciplines, and applying critical skills to primary sources. Because of these advanced skills, honors students have more opportunities to participate in and present research as undergraduates at the Grand Valley State University Student Scholars Day, regional honors conferences, the National Collegiate Honors Council annual meeting, and other professional meetings.
The Meijer Honors College encourages its students to engage in extra-curricular activities to develop leadership skills and an appreciation of the richness and diversity of university life. Honors students frequently engage in service and volunteer projects at the university or in the community. They also have unique cultural experiences and travel opportunities such as subsidized museum visits and faculty-led trips to Chicago, Detroit, and other cities. Trips for credit are offered to various international destinations such as Germany and Poland, and there are annual summer service-learning programs to Ghana and Haiti. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of the other study abroad opportunities offered by the university.
Completion of the Meijer Honors College program should not be confused with "Graduation with Honors," which is determined strictly by final grade point average. The Meijer Honors College requires not only a high grade point average but also successful completion of a special series of challenging courses. Completion of all Meijer Honors College requirements results in the "Meijer Honors College Graduate" designation on both the baccalaureate diploma and the college transcript. Graduates are eligible to wear a special stole and medallion at Commencement.
Admission
Applicants must first be accepted to GVSU before applying to the Meijer Honors College. The normal qualifications for the program are a 3.5 high school GPA and an ACT score of 28 or an SAT score of 1300, but other factors (such as quality of essay, paper sample, and honors/leadership activities) are considered for entrance, and all these criteria are weighed to assess academic motivation and potential for success in the program.
Transfer students and those already enrolled at Grand Valley State University who wish to enter the Meijer Honors College may apply for admission if they have a 3.5 college grade point average. The application form is available online at www.gvsu.edu/honors/.
Academic Standing
To remain in good standing in the Meijer Honors College, a student must maintain a 3.2 grade point average. Failure to do so will result in the student being placed on probationary status and given two consecutive semesters to bring his or her GPA back up to a 3.2. Honors courses may be repeated only with the consent of both the director and the faculty member involved. Students may voluntarily withdraw from honors but will be responsible for completing the regular General Education Program of the university if they do so.
Learning and Living Community
One of the hallmarks of the Meijer Honors College is its rich learning and living community. For this reason, honors students-especially incoming students-are encouraged to live in one of the two honors housing centers, so that they strengthen the bonds of community and reinforce each other's commitment to academic excellence.
The Glenn A. Niemeyer Learning and Living Center is a state-of-the-art residential and academic center with two and four bedroom apartments, lounges, study areas, and a computer lab. Most honors classrooms are also in the building.
The Holton-Hooker Learning and Living Center is a new residential and academic center which provides optimal housing for first-year honors students because it builds rich and deep community.
Accreditation
There is no accrediting body for honors, though the National Collegiate Honors Council sets guidelines and offers resources for honors programs. Grand Valley is an active member of the National Collegiate Honors Council.