Policies & Procedures

Honors and Recognitions

The John Martinson Honors Program  - 1R2

1. Introduction
   
   
   1. The purpose of SIUE's John Martinson Honors Program (JMHP) is to attract a diverse body of high-achieving and highly motivated students, providing them an enriching and integrative set of curricular and co-curricular experiences that develop the habits and dispositions emblematic of a love of inquiry.
      
      
   2. The John Martinson Honors Program is committed to delivering measurably deeper, more complex academic experiences through student-centered learning.
      
      
   3. The John Martinson Honors Program affords the University an on-campus opportunity for curricular and pedagogic experimentation and innovation.
      
      
   4. The University Honors Advisory Council (UHAC) serves as the primary clearinghouse for all discussions of the John Martinson Honors Program and its relation to all other units on campus. The UHAC is responsible for maintaining, reviewing, and updating University Policy 1R2. The UHAC is responsible for reviewing proposals for additions, terminations, and modifications of all honors courses and requirements. The UHAC is responsible for the continuing review of the John Martinson Honors Program.
      
      
   5. The Director of the John Martinson Honors Program is responsible to manage the John Martinson Honors Program in its day-to-day functions; to establish and oversee the assessment mechanisms of the John Martinson Honors Program; to engage in outreach and fundraising for the John Martinson Honors Program; to meet regularly with the Provost to discuss and coordinate the business of the Council and all related matters associated with the Council and the John Martinson Honors Program.
      
      
   6. The Director of the John Martinson Honors Program is an ex officio member of the Faculty Senate's Curriculum Council. They are responsible to provide regular updates to the Curriculum Council, discussing business of the John Martinson Honors Program and the University Honors Advisory Council. Additionally, they are responsible for submitting an annual report to the Faculty Senate.
2. Honors Curriculum
   
   The honors curriculum is an alternative general education program that combines the requirements outlined in University Policy 1D1 - University-wide Criteria for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), and Professional Baccalaureate Degrees - with the following Honors curriculum. 
   
   
   1. Honors Seminar Sequence (15 credit-hours)
      
      
      1. HONS 120, "Questions and the Spirit of Inquiry," linked with HONS 121, "Honors Rhetoric" (3 credit-hours each for 6 credit-hours);
      2. HONS 250, "Patterns in Human Endeavors" (3 credit-hours);
      3. HONS 320A, "Interdisciplinary Problems in Society and Culture" (3 credit-hours);
      4. HONS 320B, "Interdisciplinary Problems in Science and Technology" (3 credit-hours)
   2. Honors Pro-Seminar Sequence (4 credit-hours)
      
      
      1. HONS 100, "On Education" (1 credit-hour)
      2. HONS 200, "On Globalization" (1 credit-hour)
      3. HONS 300, "Student Selected Topics of Interest" (1 credit-hour)
      4. HONS 400, "Honors Capstone on Civic Engagement" (1 credit-hour)
   3. Additional Curricular Requirements
      
      In order to satisfy other University requirements, students in the John Martinson Honors Program are also required to take:
       
      1. a lab course (EL) in the physical sciences (PS) or life sciences (LS), and;
      2. a mathematics, statistics, or quantitative reasoning course.

2. 4. Honors Co-Curricular Requirement
      
      
      1. The co-curricular requirements involve experiential learning activities that may include service and civic engagement, academic and intellectual enrichment, professional and career development, leadership and organizational involvement, arts and cultural participation, wellness and personal growth, intercultural and global learning, campus community engagement, and other experiences designated by JMHP.
         
         
      2. Honors students must complete the co-curricular requirements, as established by the John Martinson Honors Program, in order to graduate from the program.
         
         
      3. The Director of the John Martinson Honors Program establishes the requirements, standards, categories, and documentation procedures used to verify fulfillment of the co-curricular requirements. These requirements are subject to review and approval under processes established by the University Honors Advisory Council and in consultation with the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, and the broad body of honors students.
3. Honors Enrollment and Participation for Continuing and Transfer Students
   
   The John Martinson Honors Program provides multiple pathways for continuing and transfer students to join. A student's requirements are determined at the time of enrollment in the John Martinson Honors Program, based on the level of prior college coursework completed. Advanced placement, dual credit, or other pre-college credit are not typically used in determining placement.
   
   
   1. First-time, full-time students are required to complete the full honors curriculum, as outlined in Section II.
      
      
   2. For Students beginning with less than 60 post-secondary credits
      
      
      1. Requirements: Complete the full honors curriculum as outlined in Section II, except for HONS 120 and HONS 121.
         
         
      2. Other Requirements
         1. Students in this pathway must demonstrate completion of two English composition/writing-intensive courses.
         2. Students in this pathway must also complete the requirements outlined in Section II, C and a modified version of Section II, D.
   3. For students beginning with 60 or more post-secondary credits
      
      
      1. Requirements: Complete the following modified honors curriculum
         1. Seminars: HONS 250 and a choice of HONS 320A or HONS 320B, chosen in conjunction with their honors advisor.
         2. Proseminars: HONS 100, 300, and 499.
      2. Other Requirements
         1. Students in this pathway must demonstrate completion of two English composition/writing-intensive courses.
         2. Students in this pathway must also complete the requirements outlined in Section II, C. and a modified version of the requirements established in Section II, D.
4. Honors Enrollment Processes
   
   The John Martinson Honors Program enrolls students who demonstrate strong academic preparation and also show qualities such as intellectual curiosity, creativity, motivation, and openness to the values of honors education. The John Martinson Honors Program seeks a diverse community of students ready to engage in inquiry, innovation, and self-reflection.
   
   
   1. The Director of the John Martinson Honors Program, in consultation with the University Honors Advisory Council and the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, establishes the standards and practices governing admission to the John Martinson Honors Program. The Director, in consultation with the University Honors Advisory Council, is authorized to set eligibility criteria, determine admission outcomes, and take actions necessary to implement these standards.
      
      
   2. Applications are accepted from incoming first-year students, continuing students, and transfer students who meet expectations set by the University Honors Advisory Council.
      
      
   3. Meridian Scholars are automatically enrolled and required to participate in the John Martinson Honors Program.
5. Honors Academic Standards and Standing
   
   
   1. The Director of the John Martinson Honors Program, in consultation with the faculty and staff of the John Martinson Honors Program, the University Honors Advisory Council, and the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, establishes the standards and practices governing retention in the John Martinson Honors Program. The Director of the John Martinson Honors Program is authorized to create categories of academic standing and to take actions necessary to implement these standards.
      
      
   2. Students in the John Martinson Honors Program must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher to remain in good standing.
      
      
   3. Meridian Scholars who are no longer eligible for the Meridian Scholarship but maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher may continue to participate in the John Martinson Honors Program.
      
      
   4. Students whose GPA falls below the minimum threshold are subject to review and action under program standards. These actions may include continued participation with conditions, limitations on privileges, or removal from the John Martinson Honors Program.
      
      
   5. Students subject to conditions for continued participation, or removed from the John Martinson Honors Program, will receive formal notification through their SIUE email account.
6. Separation from the John Martinson Honors Program
   
   
   1. Honors students who are separated from the program lose access to the university commitments (enumerated below) associated with the program.
      
      
   2. On separation from the program, honors courses will be articulated with the Lincoln Program in the following way:
      
      
      1. HONS 120: First Semester Transition and the approved Breadth attribute as determined by the Faculty Senate General Education Committee;
      2. HONS 121, if passed with a C or better: FW I, FSPC;
      3. HONS 250; BHUM or BFPA (as determined by the Faculty Senate General Education Committee);
      4. HONS 320A or HONS 320B: CM and the approved Breadth attribute as determined by the Faculty Senate General Education Committee;
      5. HONS 100, HONS 300: approved Experience attribute as determined by the Faculty Senate General Education Committee;
      6. HONS 200: EGC.
7. University Commitments
   
   
   1. The University supports the success of honors students by providing core structures, resources, and opportunities necessary for meaningful participation in the John Martinson Honors Program. These commitments ensure that students can make consistent progress through the John Martinson Honors Program while engaging fully in its academic and experiential components.
      
      
      1. Priority registration to support timely progress through the John Martinson Honors Program requirements and major degree programs.
         
         
      2. Specialized honors advising to assist with academic planning and participation in the John Martinson Honors Program.
         
         
      3. Access to honors courses, programming, and designated community spaces that support learning, collaboration, and engagement.
         
         
      4. Formal recognition for students who complete the John Martinson Honors Program in good standing.
         
         
      5. Access to high-impact co-curricular learning opportunities consistent with the mission and values of the John Martinson Honors Program.
   2. The John Martinson Honors Program may develop additional opportunities, recognitions, or forms of support for participants. The design and implementation of these commitments are determined by the Director of the John Martinson Honors Program, in consultation with the University Honors Advisory Council, and other relevant University constituents.
8. Exceptions and Appeals
   
   The John Martinson Honors Program recognizes that individual circumstances may occasionally warrant exceptions or appeals. These processes ensure fairness, uphold program standards, and provide students with a clear path for review.
   
   
   1. The Director of the John Martinson Honors Program in consultation with the University Honors Advisory Council, and the John Martinson Honors Program Faculty and staff, establishes the standards and practices governing exceptions and appeals.
      
      
   2. The Director of the John Martinson Honors Program is authorized by the University Honors Advisory Council to grant exceptions in individual cases, including exceptions related to the curriculum, the co-curriculum, retention standards, and other program requirements associated with the John Martinson Honors Program.
      
      
   3. Appeals of admissions decisions, fulfillment of program requirements, or actions related to retention and academic standing are heard by the University Honors Advisory Council. Decisions by the University Honors Advisory Council are final.
      
      
   4. Honors students retain all rights and responsibilities as outlined in University Policy 3C1 - Student Conduct Code.

Approved by Chancellor effective 6/26/26
This policy was issued on June 30, 2026, replacing the August 15, 2018 version.
Document Reference: 1R2
Origin: CC 7-70/71; OP 4/10/91; OP 2/21/92; CC 13-96/97; CC#26-15/16; CC#17-16/17; CC#44-17/18; CC04-25/26