SENATE DOCUMENT #1


Recommendation

TO:     Faculty Senate

FROM:   Dr. Alan Comer, Chairman of the University Planning Council
        (UPC)

DATE:   September 13, 1984

RE:     Establishing an honors program at UNC-A

 
The University Planning Council has received the final report from an
Honors Program Task Force, and has formed recommendations for your
approval.

1.     An honors program should be instituted at UNC-A with implementa-
       tion set for Fall 1986.

       Rationale:  The Task Force assessed the feasibility and advis-
                   ability of an honors program at UNC-A.  They deter-
                   mined that a majority of the faculty supported estab-
                   lishing an honors program and that UNC-A has a size-
                   able group (44) of highly qualified and motivated
                   students from which to attract a clientele.  A survey
                   of honors programs at other institutions has con-
                   vinced us that such a program will enhance our
                   ability to attract the most able students to UNC-A.

2.     That an Honors Program Committee be appointed (to consist of 3 faculty
       members appointed by the Senate, one each from the general
       divisions, and 2 other members, one of whom should be an administrator,
       to be appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs) to plan
       the specific components of an UNC-A Honors Program; to function as the
       advisory commmittee, if needed; and to seek approval of the program
       from the Faculty Senate by the Spring of 1985.

       Rationale:  The task force made recommendations concerning the
                   general framework for an honors program at UNC-A;
                   however, the Planning Council did not wish to un-
                   necessarily restrict the development of a program at
                   UNC-A by recommending one particular form.

                   This is especially important since the resource
                   impact of any program needs to be fully determined.

                   Colegiality appears to be an important component of
                   successful honors programs:  therefore, it is
                   important that a committed group of faculty, who will
                   continue to be involved, plan UNC-A's program.

Several areas of concern were raised in Planning Council discussion 
that must be addressed by the planning group.

    a.  Should the director get released times?

    b.  How would the honors teaching affect faculty loads?

    c.  Would the search for scholarship money overburden the
        University Relations Office?

    d.  Can money be made available to support outside speakers?

    e.  What are the space implications if it is thought advisable to
        house honors students together?

    f.  Would an honors program alter the awarding of other university
        honors?

There are undoubtedly other critical questions that must be answered
for any specific program that is planned.  We are convinced however,
that the benefit to UNC-A is ample compensation for the minimal risk
we are assuming.