Honors Program changes protested

I came to JMU with an outdated notion of the Honors Program. Initially the material presented to me indicated a program which allowed opportunities for students with demonstrable academic drive and potential to have certain privileges that would assist in their academic endeavors throughout college.
Among the requirements were that the student take 30 credits of honors courses in various subjects and maintain a 3.25 grade point average (these two being the most relevant to consider as a freshman). However, upon entering the college, I was shocked to learn that this was no longer the case — it was only a part of a new story.

The implementation of the Honors Opportunity Program requires all freshmen Honors Scholars to attend field trips, lectures or participate in specified clubs and respond to their experiences in the aims of earning 50 points (2 to 5 points per activity), with the "benefit" that because of it they only have to take 27 Honors credits.

If, at the end of the year, a freshman has not met the minimum of 50 points, he or she is dismissed from the program, with no regard to other accomplishments. The aim of the program is to expand the learning experience of the Honors Scholars through these mandatory extracurricular activities. A good benefit to offer them? Yes. A good requirement? No. I found myself attending lectures that held no interest for me because that day I would happen to have a large enough block of time available — simply to get a few points.

I am very angered by the fact that the Honors Program changed the requirements between the time I applied and was accepted to the program and the onset of the school year. I came into the school year fully expecting to work hard keeping my GPA up and take Honors classes, not to skip my classes or to skimp on my homework to attend some lecture.

I expressed concern with this unforeseen change several times to some members of the faculty who run the Honors Program, offering to take the 30 honors credit hours because I simply could not get 50 points. I was simply met with "This is the way it is now, take it or leave it." First of all, I was outraged that they would change the program so drastically after applicants already had applied and been chosen, and secondly that the program would expect me to sacrifice the time I spend on learning the material in my classes to earn points. I think many of us will agree that, while grades are not everything, they do show more about a person to a graduate school screening panel than some un-cited lectures we attended as freshmen on "‘Race'-ing and Gendering the Automobile in American History" (two HOP points).

Many of us applied to the Honors Program because we had been in honors programs in high school and our academics are important to us. Many of us also leapt at the chance to get involved in organizations around campus. Some of us, aspiring to attain double majors and other such daunting goals, have filled our schedules with course loads heavier than most. A few of us have done all of the above. Specifically, I'm trying to double major, so I'm carrying 19 credits this semester in addition to being involved in three organizations.

The time and energy commitments involved in active dedication to activities which many of us may well carry through our four years at JMU command a greater level of interest than a one year encroachment on our time. Requiring that certain predetermined academic conditions be met is one thing. Infringing upon the freedom to use our extracurricular time as we see fit is quite another.

Offer the lectures. I'll go to them if I have time, but don't waste my time in an effort to get me involved in the campus outside of the classroom. I can make better use of my time in areas outside of the HOP program (read: classes), and I can get involved on campus quite well on my own.

So I take my leave of the HOP program as a soon-to-be ex-Honors Scholar with a 3.8 GPA, 12 Honors credit hours completed and 4 HOP points. Guess I just don't cut it as an Honors Scholar.

Katie Higbee is an undeclared freshman.