2008 Woodie Awards
University discusses possible changes to Latin honors system
Anna Turner
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Campus
The Latin honors system, a traditional graduation honors system recognized at Miami University, is facing possible reformation in an attempt to achieve equal academic recognition across disciplines, said John Skillings, associate vice president for academic affairs.
Upon graduation, a student can currently graduate with one of three Latin honors: cum laude (with honor), magna cum laude (with great honor) and summa cum laude (with highest honor). Currently, a student's numerical GPA determines whether or not he or she will graduate with Latin honors.
According to the Senate Resolution to Recalculate Latin Honors at the Division Level, passed by the university senate, a student with a 3.5 GPA receives cum laude, 3.75 magna cum laude and 3.9 summa cum laude.
With the present system, 25 percent of Miami's graduating class receives Latin honors upon graduation.
However a potential reformation of the system would lower that number to 17 percent, with 2 percent receiving summa cum laude, 5 percent receiving magna cum laude and 10 percent receiving cum laude.
Currently, Provost Jeffrey Herbst, the academic policy committee and the Office of the Registrar are working on the project, although officials have been discussing the matter for a few years now, after several universities (such as Harvard University and The University of Notre Dame) switched systems.
The possible change would then calculate Latin honors on the divisional level, instead of the university level, and would be based on class rank rather than GPA.
According to the resolution, this would produce a balanced depiction of academic achievement throughout campus.
"Grades are different in different disciplines," Skillings said. "We need equity cross-campus."
However, Assistant Registrar Carol Jones said that these plans are still in the
beginning stages.
"Currently, the provost academic policy committee and the Office of the Registrar are working through the policy and the implementation phases," Jones said.
Upon graduation, a student can currently graduate with one of three Latin honors: cum laude (with honor), magna cum laude (with great honor) and summa cum laude (with highest honor). Currently, a student's numerical GPA determines whether or not he or she will graduate with Latin honors.
According to the Senate Resolution to Recalculate Latin Honors at the Division Level, passed by the university senate, a student with a 3.5 GPA receives cum laude, 3.75 magna cum laude and 3.9 summa cum laude.
With the present system, 25 percent of Miami's graduating class receives Latin honors upon graduation.
However a potential reformation of the system would lower that number to 17 percent, with 2 percent receiving summa cum laude, 5 percent receiving magna cum laude and 10 percent receiving cum laude.
Currently, Provost Jeffrey Herbst, the academic policy committee and the Office of the Registrar are working on the project, although officials have been discussing the matter for a few years now, after several universities (such as Harvard University and The University of Notre Dame) switched systems.
The possible change would then calculate Latin honors on the divisional level, instead of the university level, and would be based on class rank rather than GPA.
According to the resolution, this would produce a balanced depiction of academic achievement throughout campus.
"Grades are different in different disciplines," Skillings said. "We need equity cross-campus."
However, Assistant Registrar Carol Jones said that these plans are still in the
beginning stages.
"Currently, the provost academic policy committee and the Office of the Registrar are working through the policy and the implementation phases," Jones said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
lillian
posted 11/03/07 @ 1:03 PM EST
Wow-a story well done. Thanks.
miami alum
posted 11/09/07 @ 6:42 AM EST
I think this is a great idea by the university...at graduation i noticed how many of the latin honors students were from ...let's just say "less demanding" disciplines than others. (Continued…)
Nathan
posted 11/13/07 @ 11:07 PM EST
About time! I'm a recent alum and my friends and I joked through most of commencement about how over 50% of the education school grads graduated with honors. (Continued…)
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