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  1. A Declaration on Honors Citizenship:
    Creating an Engaged Learning Community
    Preamble


    One of the six aims of The Honors College is "to foster a sense of community among students and faculty as citizens with special talents and responsibilities to self, the scholarly community, and society." Student involvement in community contexts is therefore fundamental. This Declaration focuses on the expected citizenship dimensions of membership in the Honors Community, against the backdrop of the Missions and Aims of The Honors College. Hence, it is understood and agreed that the College will not condone academic misconduct of any kind, whether such takes the form of cheating, plagiarism, bribery, falsification of records, or any other kind of academic dishonesty.


    BUILDING BLOCKS OF HONORS COLLEGE CITIZENSHIP

    A systematic approach to educational, citizenship, and leadership development for Honors students requires a ladder of responsibility to support a high level of student engagement. While these activities primarily serve to support academic success, they have become valuable in their own right. Thus, beginning in their first semester, students will be involved in some of the community-building activities listed below.

    Minimum Required Engagements:

    1. Attend one Honors Excellence Lecture per academic year. The College sponsors a major lecture each semester as part of the Honors Excellence Lecture Series. The topics and speakers are chosen so that students are among the primary beneficiaries of the lectures.
    2. Participate in the Honors College Convocation each Fall. The Convocation is an annual event that includes a flag-bearing Parade of Nations and States, an awards ceremony recognizing students and faculty excellence, and a reception. The Convocation is an opportunity for the Honors College to demonstrate to the University our strong sense of community, recognition of excellence, and intellectual prowess. For new students this is their first exposure to Honors citizenship.
    3. Attend at Least Two Honors Hour Sessions per Semester. Honors Hours are designed to enhance students’ awareness of academic and career opportunities, and are especially valuable as they are hosted specifically for Honor students. They include special events and informational meetings on such topics as: Study Abroad, How to Prepare for Law School, Summer Internships and Fellowships, and Career Planning. Honors Hours also provide opportunities for students to interact socially and intellectually on a regular basis. They are held on Wednesdays at 12:30 pm at University Park and once monthly at Biscayne Bay. Students should attend the sessions they believe appropriate to their needs and interests.


    Optional Engagements

    1. Four Hours of Community Service per Semester. This requirement applies to all students and enables them to demonstrate civic engagement through “giving back” to the community. It may be met in various ways, including volunteering at Honors College events such as the Excellence Lectures and Award Assemblies, at FIU Open Houses, commencements, convocation and other ceremonies, or at South Florida community service projects.

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    2. Active Participation in Student Organizations. There are several student organizations associated with the Honors College. These include Gamma Epsilon Phi, the Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Association, the Student Advisory Council, the Honors residence called Honors Place at Panther Hall, and ultimately the FIU Honors College Alumni Association.

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    3. State, Regional, and National Honors Conferences. Students are encouraged to submit work for consideration at one of the three annual conferences in which Honors students and faculty participate. They are the meetings of the Florida Collegiate Honors Council, the Southern Regional Honors Council, and the National Collegiate Honors Council. This enables students to share their academic work with a broader academic world, and to travel with colleagues to interesting places around the state and country. Participation is fully funded by the College.

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    4. Newsletter Contributions. Students are encouraged to submit items for consideration to With Honors, the annual newsletter of The Honors College. Students often have many important activities and accomplishments, which deserve recognition by the wider FIU community. An online form is available at www.fiu.edu/~honors/pedagog y/resources/newsform.htm to facilitate the submission of contributions.

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    5. Enrichment Events. This category includes special breakfasts and workshops on careers, research opportunities, and business etiquette for the Honors community.