Honors Student Handbook
Student Handbook Highlights
Welcome from Honors@CSU
Welcome to Colorado State University and to the Honors Program! You are about to begin an adventure, and we’re pleased to be part of it. We hope the opportunities and challenges that await you exceed your expectations. The journey of Honors@CSU started long ago when the University Honors Program (UHP) was founded in 1957 by Professor Willard Eddy with a class of 15 students. The hallmarks of the early program persist—excellent students, outstanding faculty, small classes, and interdisciplinary seminars. You now are part of the long-standing tradition of Honors students becoming campus leaders and exemplary university citizens at Colorado State. With a strong foundation, the honors program has grown from 15 to nearly 1800 students. This planned growth and development reflects our program’s status as a highly prized area of excellence, its role in recruiting and retaining academically talented students, and the support we have received from CSU administrative leadership, the college deans, department chairs, faculty, generous donors, alumni, and others. At Colorado State University, we are proud to offer an innovative program of study that provides students the opportunity to take small classes and specialized seminars with the University’s most outstanding scholars. We encourage students to take risks, to think big, to explore what is possible. You will have opportunities beyond the classroom such as study abroad, independent research, and co-curricular activities. We call this experience a public ivy education because you receive a world class education, participate in small learning communities typically found at liberal arts colleges, and benefit from the resources and diversity of an outstanding national university. Please use this handbook to familiarize yourself with the information you need to successfully navigate your honors adventure. We’re happy to be a guide, a north star, and your home-base on this journey.
Honors Program Faculty and Staff
Honors faculty and staff are dedicated individuals who strive to support students’ success each and every day. The faculty and staff continually go above and beyond to find creative solutions, show care and support, and build an inclusive community.
The Honors staff serves students through quality advising and mentoring. They also promote rich co-curricular experiences and support enriched learning environments. They are in the honors office five days a week to answer any question you may have, and they usually have a solid stock of chocolate. Meet the dedicated support staff.
Honors faculty members are some of the most high-achieving teachers and researchers on the CSU campus. Their areas of expertise span the academic disciplines and departments. There are several instructors who teach exclusively for Honors. Others have primary homes all over CSU and typically teach one or two Honors seminars a year in addition to teaching and conducting research in their home departments. In either case, Honors faculty are inspirational teachers committed to student growth.
The key to an outstanding education and a superb program is to maximize the professional interactions between faculty and students. Honors@CSU strives to create as many opportunities as possible between students and professors. Find more information about Honors Faculty.
Honors Program Student Ambassadors
Whether you are already an Honors student or want to become one, the Honors Student Ambassadors are available to answer questions about Honors@CSU and connect you to resources. The main goal of these ambassadors is to recruit and retain great students in our community. Find more information about Honors Student Ambassadors.
Honors Peer Mentors
The Honors Program Peer Mentors are sophomores, juniors, and seniors who facilitate the first-year Honors seminars recitations. These older Honors students work to create a challenging and supportive learning environment for students while connecting students to resources and providing them mentorship. Find more information about Honors Peer Mentors.
Goals and Philosophy
The goal of the Honors Program is simple: to challenge you to excel in and beyond the classroom. Honors@CSU encourages you to create an academic experience that is fully aligned with your educational, personal, and professional goals.
As an Honors Student you will:
- Enroll in small interdisciplinary seminars designed and taught by the Honors faculty.
- Join a dedicated community of motivated students and faculty who share your commitment to
academic excellence. - Be encouraged to participate in research, significant community service, and leadership activities
throughout your college career. - Enhance your knowledge of your major through independent study and/or study abroad programs.
- Utilize your creative energy and imagination to pursue your own interests through a senior year
Honors thesis.
We hope that the program will help you to:
- Begin thinking about effective ways to explore goals and objectives, establish a career path, and
discover ways to serve others as you learn. - Encourage self-reflection and the exploration of options and resources.
- Challenge you to explore possibilities, develop new skills, and broaden educational experiences
(within and outside the classroom). - Encourage you to consider academic and personal alternatives, limitations, and consequences of
your choices. - Develop the confidence to accept new challenges and opportunities with enthusiasm.
Honors faculty, staff, and advisors enjoy working with students. They will welcome opportunities to interact with you and will take great pride in your academic and personal accomplishments throughout your undergraduate career. We hope that you will make lifelong friends among the students, staff , and faculty in Honors@CSU.
Statement of Purpose
Nearly 1,800 CSU students pursuing various undergraduate degrees from all eight colleges are part of the Honors Program community. This multi-disciplinary community creates a confluence of diverse ideas that pushes forward innovative thinking and new ways of seeing the world. Examining difference to discover these points of intersection lead to critical questioning, which leads to ground-breaking research and creative solutions that address society’s toughest challenges. The experience provided in Honors@CSU encourages students to slow down, to deeply explore the convergence and exchange of ideas, to embrace a bit of ambiguity, and to entertain their curiosity. Honors helps to enrich the academic journey, helping students grow personally and intellectually as they navigate their path toward success. Every student will have a story to tell of about their college days…Honors@CSU helps to provide lots of the detail.
Honors@CSU promotes interdisciplinary awareness, practices engaged critical thinking and application of creative solutions to complex problems, and insists upon effective communication of ideas all while maintaining and developing a level of professionalism that is reflective of the Honors community. Honors@CSU values and abides by five guiding competencies:
Professionalism. Students will demonstrate the ability to act ethically and positively to foster a supportive community both in an instructional environment as well as a co-curricular environment. Students will develop thier emotional intelligence and refine their interpersonal skills to work effectively with others toward common goals.
Interdisciplinarity. Students will integrate diverse ways of knowing and/or experiences, perspectives and/or skills when approaching a topic, issue, or argument. Students will practice comparing, contrasting, and interpreting relationships between multiple disciplines. Students will identify points of intersection across difference and use those intersections to inform and transform knowledge.
Critical Thinking. Students will engage in pursuits that create new knowledge and contribute to one or more scholarly areas. This includes the ability to: advance a position with a specific thesis or hypothesis; provide conclusions that acknowledge complexities of an issue; supports research with sound claims, logical reasoning, and sufficient evidence.
Creative Solutions. Students will apply creative problem-solving skills to generate innovative solutions, adapting to new challenges. Students will exercise curiosity when approaching a challenge: asking questions, exploring different perspectives, and seeking new information. Students will explore unconventional solutions including, designing projects as a response to flexible guidelines and goals.
Communication. Students will develop theoretical and practical communication skills, including the following: create messages appropriate to audience, purpose, and context; deliver effective formal presentations in front of live audiences; demonstrate proficiency in effective written argument, including academic writing.
We are delighted that you will join the growing ranks of motivated, talented students who take advantage of the many opportunities CSU offers while you complete your undergraduate education and prepare for your future career. Our program offers you a challenging and enriching program of studies and personalized attention and support from the Honors Program staff, faculty, and peers. We call this experience a public ivy education because you receive a world class education, participate in small learning communities typically found at liberal arts colleges, and benefit from the resources and diversity of an outstanding national university. The UHP provides a flexible curriculum involving Honors Seminars and courses, which provides students with enriched learning opportunity. Honors@CSU strives to develop well-rounded individuals who approach global issues with interdisciplinary approaches to create innovative solutions. CSU offers this flexible, personalized approach to undergraduate education to encourage you to seek initiatives that allow you to excel in, and beyond, the classroom.
Track 1: University Honors Seminar Path
Track 1 fulfills over half of the University’s general education requirements (All-University Core Curriculum or AUCC) and is well-suited for incoming first-year students without significant college credits. Track 1 is a 26-credit program of studies that consists of five interdisciplinary Honors seminars, two Honors courses in the student’s major, the Honors pre-thesis, and the senior Honors thesis. Track 1 fulfills 18 of the 31 credits of the All-University Core Curriculum (AUCC), 9 credits in the student’s major, and 1 elective credit. The diagram below shows the AUCC and major requirements fulfilled by Track 1. Students who complete Track 1 with a 3.0 GPA graduate from the Honors program; those with a 3.5 cumulative GPA receive the designation of University Honors Scholar on their diplomas and transcripts.
Track 1: University Honors Seminar
- HONR 192, Honors First Year Seminar
- HONR 193, Honors Seminar
- HONR 292A, B, or C, Honors Sophomore Seminar
- HONR 392, Honors Junior Seminar
- HONR 492, Honors Senior Seminar
- Honors course in the major (200 or 300 level)
- Honors course in the major (300 or 400 level)
- HONR 399, Honors Pre-Thesis
- HONR 499, Senior Honors Thesis
AUCC Credit Earned
All-University Core Curriculum Category Requirements* (18 credits)
- Intermediate Writing (1A)
- Arts/Humanities (3B)
- Social/Behavioral Sciences (3C)
- Historical Perspectives (3D)
- Diversity and Global Awareness (3E)
*The Honors curriculum for Track 1 fulfills five of the eight AUCC categories. Students must fulfill the remaining three categories to complete the University’s general education requirements (AUCC): Additional Communications (Advanced Writing, 2), Quantitative Reasoning (1B), and Biological/Physical Sciences (3A). Special Honors sections of regular courses are offered in most of these categories. In addition, many majors that require Public Speaking (SPCM 200) will accept the Honors Core to satisfy this departmental requirement.
Major Requirement Earned
Major Requirements (9 credits)
- 200 or 300 level course in the major
- 300 or 400 level course in the major
- HONR 499, Senior Honors Thesis
Elective Credit Earned
Electives
- HONR399 (1 credit)
How do seminars count as AUCC credit?
General education requirements (AUCC) are integrated into the four one-semester Honors seminars required in Track 1. Honors students in Track 1 will study these areas from their first semester through their senior year. Table 1 shows the integration of the AUCC into each of the four Honors seminars and Table 2 explains which AUCC requirements are fulfilled by each Honors seminar.
Integration of AUCC Requirements into the Honors Seminars
HONR 192:
- Arts/Humanities
- Historical Perspectives
- Intermediate Writing
- [Oral Communication]*
HONR 193 (prerequisite, HONR 192):
- Arts/Humanities
- Diversity and Global Awareness
- Historical Perspectives
- Intermediate Writing
- [Oral Communication]*
- Social/Behavioral Sciences
*May satisfy a requirement for specific majors.
HONR 292A, B, or C (prerequisite, HONR 193)
- A = Biological and Physical Sciences
- B = Arts/Humanities
- C = Diversity and Global Awareness
HONR 392 (prerequisite, HONR 193):
- Arts/Humanities
- Diversity and Global Awareness
- Historical Perspectives
- [Oral Communication]*
- Social/Behavioral Sciences
*May satisfy a requirement for specific majors.
HONR 492 (prerequisite, HONR 392):
- Diversity and Global Awareness
- Historical Perspectives
- [Oral Communication]*
- Social/Behavioral Sciences
*May satisfy a requirement for specific majors.
AUCC Requirements Fulfilled By the Honors Seminars
Course:
- HONR 192 and HONR
- HONR 292A or HONR 292B or HONR 292C
- HONR 392
- HONR 492
AUCC Requirement Fulfilled*
- Intermediate Writing (1A)
- Biological and Physical Sciences (3A, 3of 7 credits)
- Arts/Humanities (3B, 3 of 6 credits)
- Diversity and Global Awareness (3E)
- Arts/Humanities (3B, 3 of 6 credits)
- Social/Behavioral Sciences (3C)
*Students must complete the remaining Track 1 requirements (two Honors courses in the major, the Honors pre-thesis, and senior Honors thesis) to fulfill the AUCC requirements in Historical Perspectives (3D) and Diversity and Global Awareness (3E). Also oral communication (SPCM 200) is fulfilled as a requirement for some majors upon completion of the Honors track 1 core.
Track 2: Discipline Honors Seminar Path
Track 2 is designed primarily for transfer students and CSU continuing students who have a significant number of college credits that fulfill the University’s general education requirements (All University Core Curriculum or AUCC) in Intermediate Writing, Arts/Humanities, Social/Behavioral Sciences, Historical Perspectives, and Diversity and Global Awareness. It also accommodates first year students with at least 30 AP, IB, or college credits. Track 2 is a 24-credit program of studies that consists of a 4-credit Freshman Honors seminar (for freshman students), a 3-credit second-year seminar, 3 credits of 200-level Honors courses in major/discipline, 12 credits of upper-division Honors courses in the major/discipline, and 4 credits for the Honors pre-thesis and senior Honors thesis. The diagram below depicts Track 2 requirements.
Track 2: Discipline Honors Seminar Path
- HONR 192, Honors First-Year Seminar 4 credits
- HONR 292 A, B, or C, Honors Sophomore Seminar 3 credits
- 200 level honors course in the major/discipline 3 credits
- 3-4 Honors 300-400 level courses in the major/discipline 12 credits
- HONR 399, Honors Pre-Thesis 1 credit
- HONR 499, Senior Honors Thesis 3 credits
Electives
(5 credits)
All-University Core Curriculum Category Requirements
(3 credits)
- Biological/Physical Sciences (HONR 292A) (3A)
or - Arts/Humanities (HONR 292B) (3B)
or - Global and Cultural Awareness (HONR 292C) (3E)
Major Requirements
(18 credits)
Students who complete Track 2 with at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA receive the designation of University Honor Scholar on their transcripts and diplomas. Track 2 Honors students receive the same benefits as Track 1 students. They are eligible for the Honors scholarship, to live in the Academic Village or Edwards Residence Hall (as freshmen), to join the Honors Student Association (HSA), to attend and participate in all Honors events sponsored by the Honors Program and HSA, to enroll in special Honors sections of regular courses, to apply for Honors Program enrichment awards, to receive advising in the Honors Program office, and to register early for courses.
Continuation in the Honors Program
To continue participation in the University Honors Program, students must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling the requirements of the Honors Scholar (Track 1 or Track 2), which includes completing the specified curriculum and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students must have a grade of “C “or above in all honors seminars and courses. A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher is required at graduation for the Honors Scholar designation to appear on the final transcript and diploma.
SATISFACTORY PROGRESS IN THE HONORS PROGRAM
Track 1
FIRST YEAR
- By the end of the first year, students must complete the Honors first-year seminar (HONR 192) and have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher.
SECOND YEAR
- By the end of the second year, students must complete HONR 193 and HONR 292, and have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher. (Note: most students complete HONR 193 in the Spring semester of their first year.)
THIRD YEAR
- By the end of the third year, students must complete the first Honors course in the major, the fourth Honors seminar (HONR 392), and have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher.
FOURTH YEAR
- By the end of the fourth year, students must complete the second Honors course in the major, the Honors senior seminar (HONR 492), and the Senior Honors Pre-thesis (HONR 399) and Thesis (HONR 499). To graduate as a University Honors Scholar, students must have a cumulative 3.5 GPA or higher.*
Exceptions to satisfactory progress will be considered for special circumstances such as study abroad and completion of a second major and must be approved by the Honors Director.
*Students who complete the Honors Track 1 curriculum with less than a 3.5 cumulative GPA fulfill 18 credits of the AUCC requirements and at least six credits in their major as listed on Page 13. They do not receive the “University Honors Scholar” designation on their diploma or transcript, although all completed Honors coursework will be listed on the student’s transcript. They are recognized at commencement and wear the Honors regalia at graduation.
Track 2
To continue participation in Track 2, a student must have at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA, and complete HONR 292A, B, or C, Honors courses in the major, the Honors Pre-Thesis, and the Honors Thesis on schedule with graduation plans at the end of each academic year. A cumulative GPA of 3.5 is required for the designation of University Honors Scholar to appear on the final transcript. (Exceptions to satisfactory progress will be considered for special circumstances and must be approved by the department of the student’s major and the Honors Director.)
Good Standing in the University Honors Program
The CSU Honors Program selects students for participation in the program based on several factors: (1) academic achievement as evidenced by high school grade point average, national test scores, class rank, and rigor of the high school curriculum; (2) a teacher recommendation that addresses the student’s potential to enrich the undergraduate experience at CSU; and (3) extra-curricular activities that provide opportunities for leadership, service, and other contributions to their school and/or communities. When these students are enrolled at CSU, they are expected to be among the very best students in terms of academic achievement and communication skills, to participate in co- or extra-curricular activities ranging from student clubs and government to study abroad, and to exhibit personal integrity and good behavior with respect to University regulations.
Good standing in the Honors Program requires maintaining at least minimum standards for academic achievement and minimum academic progress toward completing Honors and University curriculum requirements. Under current standards, to continue in the Honors Program students must maintain at least a 3.0, typically maintain a full-time academic course load of 12 credits per semester and 24 credits for the academic year, and make at least minimally acceptable progress in completing either Track 1 or Track 2 Honors requirements. Students who do not meet at least minimal standards can be dismissed, lose their Honors scholarship(s), and be removed from the Honors Residential Learning Community. Honors students must receive at least a grade of “C” (or “S” in HONR 399, pre-thesis) in each required honors course in the honors seminars and honors sections in order to remain in good standing and complete the program. If a student receives a grade lower than “C”, the repeat/delete option can be used.
Honors students are expected to exhibit personal integrity, behaviors that are consistent with a “top character building university,” and abide by University regulations. Students may be dismissed if they violate University regulations on academic integrity or classroom behavior, or “prohibitive conduct” as described in the Student Conduct Code.
When the University Honors Program has been notified by Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct Services that an Honors student has lost good standing (disciplinary probation/loss of good standing), the Assistant Director of the Honors Program will inform the student in writing that they are dismissed from the Honors program. The student will lose their Honors scholarship and be removed from the Honors Residential Learning Community. The Honors student may appeal this action to the Honors Hearing Panel. The panel consists of an Honors faculty member appointed by the Honors Director, the President of the Honors Student Association or his/her designee, and the Honors Program Coordinator. The hearing panel will either sustain dismissal of the student or determine that the Honors student may remain in good standing with the Honors Program. The student may appeal the decision to the Honors Director. The decision of the Honors Director is final.
Honors Advising and Registration
Academic advising is an integral part of college students’ success, and Colorado State University and the Honors Program puts great emphasis on giving students high quality advising. All Honors students are assigned an academic advisor in their major. In addition to major advising, the Honors staff welcomes you to drop by, call, or email if you have advising questions. Honors students with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher have access to priority registration allowing them to register for classes on the first day of registration.
Honors Advising and Registration Process
The Senior Honors Thesis
The senior Honors thesis (HONR 499, 3 credits) provides students the opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty mentor/advisor to complete original research, creative scholarship, artistry, or design projects. The senior Honors thesis gives undergraduate students the freedom to select a topic area, create and complete an original project, and present their creative activities to a faculty committee. To prepare for the senior Honors thesis, students take the Honors Pre-Thesis (HONR 399, 1 credit) where they choose a thesis topic, select a faculty thesis advisor, develop a preliminary proposal, and plan their creative activities.
Honors Residential Learning Community
The Academic Village and Edwards Residence Hall house the Honors Residential Learning Communities (RLC), an educational initiative that links in-class and out-of-class learning experiences for Honors students. The goals of the Honors RLC are to supplement in-class learning experiences with co-curricular programming and develop community among Honors students, faculty, and staff. Honors students who choose to live outside of the Honors RLC have access to all of the resources and experiences provided in the Honors RLC.
Co-Curricular Programming Much of your learning in college occurs outside of the classroom, and the RLC provides access to these co-curricular learning experiences through cultural events, service opportunities, and social activities in the Academic Village and Edwards Hall.
- The Honors Student Association coordinates group activities such as hiking trips, presentations about students’ study abroad experiences, service projects, and leadership opportunities. All programs and activities serve to bring Honors students together for learning, fun, and relaxation.
- Honors Resident Assistants co-sponsor activities with the Honors office that address students’ needs and interests, such as workshops on creating a four-year academic plan and researching careers.
- Faculty Firesides are informal gatherings in the Academic Village where Honors faculty share their career paths, specific research interests, and life experiences with students.
Developing Community A special feature of Colorado State University and the Honors Program is its emphasis on developing community among students, faculty, and staff. The Honors Program builds community through activities, classes, and the proximity of its offices and seminar rooms to students.
- The Honors Fall Welcome: a great opportunity for new students to meet each other and their peer mentors and attend a lecture presented by Professor Temple Grandin. Hosted by the Honors staff, the Honors Fall Welcome is a wonderful time to make new friends and learn more about the Honors experience at Colorado State University.
- The Honors First-Year Seminar (HONR 192) has two components: the academic component taught by faculty and the orientation component, which is led by upper-class Honors students who serve as peer mentors to the first-year students. The orientation component focuses on creating a sense of community among the first-year students through class discussions about college issues, team-building activities, and group projects.
- Honors First-Year Seminars are normally held on the first floor of the Honors Building (Building B) in the Academic Village and in Edwards Hall, which makes it easier for students to connect with faculty before and after class. The Honors Program offices are located on the first floor of Academic Village-Honors Building and staff members are available for questions and advising. Students are always welcome to stop by the office to say hello between classes.
Academic Information
Over the course of the summer, you have accumulated a great deal of information about Colorado State University and the Honors Program. We have brought together some of the most important points, summarized them here for your reference, and added a few things that may be new to you. Also, please remember that if you have any questions, Honors-related or not, we encourage you to call the Honors office (491-5679) or stop by our office (B102 Academic Village) for help.
Helpful Hints:
Changing your major: You should make an appointment with an advisor in your proposed major to review the requirements and discuss the transition from your old major. Once you are decided, then you can make changes to your academic plan online through the Registrar’s office.
Repeat/Repair Policy
Repeat/Repair is a one-time per course grading option that may be used by undergraduate students who repeat a course. The most recent grade received in the repeated course will be used in calculating the student’s GPA, regardless of whether the repeated grade is higher, the same as, or lower than the initial grade received. The original grade will remain on the transcript, but will not be used in calculating the cumulative GPA when the Repeat/Repair option is applied. The Repeat/Repair option may be used for a maximum of twelve [12] credit hours and no more than three courses over the course of your undergraduate career. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the Repeat/Repair form for the course to the Registrar before the course withdrawal deadline date during the semester in which the course is being repeated. To find out more about Repeat/Delete procedures, visit the Registrar’s website.
Add/Drop and Withdrawing from a Class
The period for adding classes without instructor approval is about a week after class starts. For most classes, the drop date is the Sunday prior to week two of the semester. The specific Add/ Drop dates for each class can be found by checking the Course Reference Number (CRN) for the class in the class schedule. Courses dropped during the Add/Drop period are not reflected on the student’s transcript and tuition and fees may be adjusted. After this point and until the eighth week of the term, you can still withdraw from a class, but a W (withdrawal) grade will be recorded on the transcript. The course withdrawal period typically ends in the middle of October. No course withdrawals may be processed after this period, but a student can request a University withdrawal from all classes up until the last day of classes.
Full-Time Status
To be considered a full-time student, students must be registered for a minimum of 12 academic credits. (Half-time students must have between 6-11 academic credits.) There are many benefits to being a full-time student including the opportunity to live in the residence halls, receive financial aid, access the Recreation Center, ride the Transfort bus for free, and receive free tickets to CSU sporting events. There is no additional base tuition charge for students taking between 12 and 20 credits.
Academic Overrides
Overrides are used when a student wants to register for a course that has a time conflict with another course, wants to enroll in a course that is full, or is restricted from taking a course due to major restrictions, class level restrictions, or prerequisites. Approvals can be given by the instructor or department through which the course is offered. The student can register via the registration screen in RamWeb after the override has been granted. There is a wait list for classes that are full. Wait-listed students are notified when a seat becomes available and have 24 hours to enroll in the class.
Credit Overloads
Honors students may register for up to 18 credits per semester without special approval. To register for 19 or more credits requires Credit Overload approval from an academic advisor. You may request a credit overload through the Honors Program office.
Challenging a Course for Credit
Students may challenge some courses when they want to receive course credit without actually taking the course. When students wish to challenge a course, they ask the department if it is possible to test out of the course.
Honors Contract Courses
Regular courses may count as Honors courses if an additional enriching educational component is approved by the professor of the course and Honors staff. An extra enriched experience, negotiated between the student and professor, converts the non-Honors course to an Honors course. The course will be designated as Honors on a student’s transcript. The online form to submit an Honors Contract is available on the Honors website.
Traditional Grading—Plus/Minus
This information can be found in the Colorado State University general Catalog
Academic Integrity
This information can be found in the Colorado State University General Catalog.
Campus Information
History of Colorado State University
The Beginnings
In 1862 the Morrill Act was passed and provided land grants to states to help subsidize the cost of establishing a state college “…where the leading object shall be, without excluding other scientific and classical studies, and including military tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts, in such manner as the Legislatures of the States may respectively prescribe, in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions in life.” A year after statehood, Colorado Agricultural College was established in 1870 and opened its doors in 1879 to its first five students. By the turn of the century, the college had broadened its academic studies to include veterinary medicine, music, and political economy.
Name Changes
In the 1930’s, Colorado Agricultural College changed its name to Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (Colorado A & M) and the “Aggies” nickname. (The “A” on the mountainside behind Hughes Stadium stands for “Aggies.”) Another name change occurred in 1957 when President Morgan of Colorado A & M wanted a name to reflect the comprehensive nature of the institution. Colorado State University ushered in a new image for the institution and fostered a greater emphasis on liberal arts and sciences.
Colorado State People and Places
Ever wonder how your residence hall got its name? Many of the buildings at Colorado State are named after specific people who have contributed significantly to the university. > Edwards residence hall is named after the first president of the university, Elijah Evan Edwards. > Morgan Library, the Lory Student Center, and Newsom residence hall are named after past university presidents. > Eddy Hall is named after Professor Willard Eddy, the founder of the University Honors Program and the Philosophy Department.
The University Today
Today, Colorado State University has more than 27,835 students, including about 4,556 freshmen, and is classified as a Carnegie Doctoral/ Research University– Extensive. The University has more than 160 degree programs, 15 residence halls, 500+ student organizations, and boasts more than 200,000 living alumni. Included in this list are state governors, heads of corporations, Olympic gold medalists, teachers, researchers, artists, astronauts, and many other leaders in society.
Student Profile
- Colorado residents: 16,390
- Nonresidents: 7,200
- Women: 12,515
- Men: 11,075
- Asian American: 651
- Black: 512
- Hispanic: 3,706
- Native American: 136
- Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander: 32
- Multiracial: 1,172
- White/ Caucasian: 16,506
- International: 749
- No response: 12
Campus Resources and Engagement Opportunities
For every need that you may have, there is a University office to help you! Deciding on a major? Visit your academic adviser or the Career Center. Feeling sick? Check out the services offered by CSU Health Network. Having problems with your landlord? Student Legal Services is the place for you. Check out these resources so you’ll know where to go on campus for information, advice, and assistance.
Honorary Societies
Honorary societies are organizations that recognize the outstanding achievements of college students in the areas of academics, leadership, and/or service. Many national honorary societies have chapters at Colorado State University and each has its own criteria for membership. Becoming a member of an honorary society has many benefits; it creates an automatic network for you, provides leadership opportunities, and, in some cases, makes you eligible for scholarships. For information about honorary societies for specific majors, contact your department, college office, or the CSU Student Organizations office. Check the Provost website for “approved” Honors Societies.
Graduation with Distinction
In addition to honorary societies, students may receive recognition from their college for their outstanding academic accomplishments. The three levels of distinction are summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude. Students who graduate Summa cum laude have a cumulative grade point average in the top one percent of the graduates in their academic college. Magna cum laude students are in the next three percent, and Cum laude graduates are in the following 6%.
Golden Key
The Golden Key honorary society for the top 15% of university juniors and seniors.
Mortar Board
The Mortar Board national honorary society recognizes college seniors for distinguished ability and achievement in scholarship, leadership, and service.
Phi Beta Kappa
The oldest (1776) and most respected honorary society in the nation. To be nominated for membership, students must be enrolled in a liberal arts or science major (no applied majors are eligible), have completed 100- semester hours (at least 50 of which must have been at Colorado State), have a demonstrated knowledge of mathematics (any 3-credit mathematics course) and a foreign language (9 or 10 semester credits of university courses in a single foreign language or transcript credit by placement), have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 (seniors) or 3.75 (juniors), and have taken 75% of all course work or 90 hours in approved liberal arts and science courses.
Phi Kappa Phi
One of the oldest and most respected national honorary societies. Membership is by invitation only to the upper 7.5 percent of second-semester juniors and the top 10% of seniors. Members are eligible for scholarships.
Sigma Xi
Sigma Xi is an honorary society for students in the pure or applied sciences who have demonstrated noteworthy achievements in research.
Honors Enrichment Award Program
Purpose
The Honors Enrichment Award Program is designed to provide funding for enhanced educational opportunities for Honors students. Funds are available to support individual opportunities that are academically enriching
Examples of enriched learning opportunities:
– Leadership development programs – Research, scholarship, and artistry activities – Cultural events – Community service activities – Short-term study or research – Participation in academic conferences abroad (offered through official programs)
Application Criteria
Students may apply throughout the year for enrichment awards. The application forms for the Honors Enrichment Award (both individual and group) can be downloaded from the Honors website. Applications must include a complete description of the enrichment request and a statement about expected benefits and estimated costs. Students who are enrolled full-time at Colorado State University and currently in good academic standing with the Honors Program are eligible to apply. Applications for individual enrichment activities should fit within the following categories for each
Individual Enrichment
Leadership, research, scholarship and artistry opportunities Travel to academic conferences or organizations Officially sponsored short-term study or research abroad Support for prestigious scholarships and awards applications
Value of Awards and Number of Applications per Year
The amount of the awards will range from $100 to $400 depending on the educational value and available funds. Students may request an enrichment award even if the total cost of the enriching activity exceeds $400. Individuals or groups (e.g., Honors Student Association) may receive one Honors Enrichment Award per year. However, if an application is not approved, another application may be submitted during the same academic year. Priority will be given to first time applicants.
Award Criteria
Applications for enrichment awards (both individual and group) will be reviewed by the Honors Award Committee and they will be approved on the basis of educational merit, benefits in relation to cost, and the availability of funds. Requests for tangible items or equipment (like laptops, digital cameras, etc…), funding for personal vacations, tuition for courses, money for books, and application fees for medical school, vet school, or grad school are generally NOT approved.
Post-Enrichment Report
All students receiving an enrichment award are required to submit a post-enrichment report to the Director of the University Honors Program. The report shall describe and explain the benefits of the educational enrichment.
Scholarship Opportunities
Honors students are eligible for honors-specific scholarships that can be applied for through the CSUSA.
Contact Information
Location:
University Honors Program
Academic Village B102
Colorado State University,
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1025
Contact:
970-491-5679
honors@colostate.edu