Frequently Asked Questions about the CSI Honors Program
FAQs about Honors Core and Departmental Classes
- What is the mission of the CSI Honors Program?
- If I join the program, what am I required to do?
- What are the assignments in Honors Reading and Honors Seminar like?
- What is the Eagle View Lecture Series?
- How much time will this take?
- What are the perks of the program?
- Do I have to maintain a certain GPA?
- What if I have another class during Honors Seminar and/or Honors Reading… can I not be in the program?
- I have already taken (or can’t fit them into my schedule, etc) the honors core classes… .can I not be in the program?
- What demographics are represented in the program?
1. What is the mission of the CSI Honors Program?
The College Of Southern Idaho Honors Program serves the needs of highly motivated and academically accomplished students by providing a student-centered learning environment that strives to develop a student’s critical, social, and cultural awareness. The Honors Program underscores the College of Southern Idaho’s commitment to quality and excellence in matters of knowledge, creativity and leadership.
2. If I join the program, what am I required to do?
You are required to register for Honors Reading in the fall (2 credits) and Honors Seminar in the spring (1 credit) and successfully complete the requirements of these classes. You must also register for at least one (and we recommend more……) honors sections of your general education requirements each semester.
3. What are the assignments in Honors Reading and Honors Seminar like?
In Honors Seminar and Honors Reading we focus on discussions of contemporary issues. Students are assigned one text to read for the year. This text corresponds with the theme for the Eagle View Lecture Series. Students are required to read this text, attend all Eagle View Lecture Events, attend at least two campus cultural events, and complete a community service project.
4. What is the Eagle View Lecture Series?
The Eagle View Lecture Series is a student lecture series offered at the College of Southern Idaho. It is housed in the Honors Program with the on-going goal of promoting the exchange of ideas and to stimulate interest in contemporary issues. The Eagle View Lecture Series allows honors students (and others) to be exposed to prominent writers, activists and passionate leaders. There are generally two evening events per semester that Honors Program students are required to attend. Further, when possible, Honors Program students are then given the unique opportunity to question and interact with these speakers.
5. How much time will this take?
That is largely up to the level of interaction that each individual student wants from the program. Class (one hour a week) and the Eagle View Lecture Series are required. Beyond that, many of the activities that the program participates in are voluntary and students can participate to the level that they wish. As with anything, the more a student puts into the program, the more he/she will get out of it.
6. What are the perks of the program?
Honors Program students do have a few cool perks:
- Scholarship assistance (varies, but generally between 200.00 and 400.00 a semester). Scholarship assistance generally increases in the spring semester of the program.
- Free tickets to many on-campus events
- Unlimited access to the computers, printers, and scanners in the Honors Program office located in the Aspen building, office 164.
- Friendships and networking with a great group of people
- Access to an advisor to help through some of the more “bureaucratic” parts of the collegiate experience
- Special recognition at graduation
- Special recognition on transcripts and diplomas
- The opportunity to apply for special scholarships and leadership awards
7. Do I have to maintain a certain GPA?
Yes. Honors Program students are required to maintain a 3.5 GPA.
8. What if I have another class during Honors Seminar and/or Honors Reading……can I not be in the program?
Options are available and can be discussed with the Honors Director.
9. I have already taken (or can’t fit them into my schedule, etc) the honors core classes…….can I not be in the program?
There are ways to deal with this contingency as well. The Honors Program and all of the core and departmental classes that support it focus on a common theme for that year. Taking the honors core and departmental courses allows students to explore this theme with depth and detail. This is certainly the preference of the program. However, if a student absolutely cannot take an Honors core or departmental course, then he/she can use the Honors contract (found on our Honors Projects page) to work in conjunction with a professor in an existing non-Honors class to create coursework that meets the Honors requirements. After successful completion, the student will earn Honors credits in the contracted class. The Honors Director will be glad to provide further details. We do encourage everyone, however, to take the classes when at all possible.
10. What demographics are represented in the program?
There are 70 people admitted into the program each year representing all sorts of students. We have traditional, nontraditional, academic and technical students from across campus. All are full-time students and all have a GPA of 3.5 and above.