Honors Program looks to become honors college
After nearly half a century of grooming Central Michigan University's scholars, the Honors Program is seeking a promotion.
James Hill, head of CMU's Honors Program, said the idea to transition the Honors Program to an honors college actually began with former Provost Tom Storch.
Hill said Storch worked with consultants to set goals for the program to attain before the university would consider creating a college dedicated to honors students.
"Outside consultants laid out what had to happen," Hill said. "It's been three years and all the things they said need to happen, like developing a budget, moving from (Larzelere) to Powers and building a faculty, have all happened."
The honors council voted to request moving forward with plans, and sent that request to Provost Julia Wallace, Hill said. In turn, the provost hired another consultant to review the program's progress and to meet with various constituencies on campus.
Hill said the consultant was a former university president who has met with deans, faculty and staff to discuss the pros and cons of becoming a college. He said he won't know a decision from the Provost until late June.
"Something's happening, but I don't know what it is," Hill said.
Hill insists a change from a program to a college would cause minimal impact to CMU's structure and budget, but could create massive benefits for students and recruiting.
"The model is a pretty basic one," Hill said. "We think we could become an honors college for less than $100,000 each year. For a small change, we could make a major change in the university."
Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore, dean of Michigan State University's Honors College, said in an e-mail to Central Michigan Life that their Honors College is an enhancement to the MSU experience and aids in recruiting to the entire MSU campus.
She also said no single model could work for every university, but that honors colleges help create flexibility for students to tailor make programs that fit their individual needs.
Garden City junior Brittany Mouzourakis said even without the title of an honors college, she has been able to get a cohort-like experience through her honors classes. However, a change in the name might bring more credibility and power to the program.
"If it became an honors college it would strengthen the program and make honors students on campus more known. We could strengthen our academic programs even further," Mouzarakis said.
Hill said building on the program's strength would be a great benefit for honors students who without a college's representation, do not always get a seat at the table in decision-making situations.
"We are the only major institution in the MAC and in Michigan without an honors college," Hill said. "It sends a message that maybe Central doesn't value the honors aspect of it. We have 900 students in the Honors Program, but in terms of a unit to advocate higher standards and academics, and advocate and protest for (honors students') interests, we really don't have that ability."
The decision to proceed could be made by either the provost or president, and Hill said he is not opposed to either interim position making that decision.
"The interims know the university well, better than a new person filling the position. They should make the decision."
Once the decision is made, Hill said he would like to see a national search for reputable candidates to fill the role of dean, should the honors council choose to structure the college that way.
Hill said he has not been approached for or considered taking over the role as dean.
"When I was hired to do this, my ultimate goal was to build the Honors Program externally and create an honors college," he said. "We've put it to a point where I think everything is in place. We are as ready now as we ever have been and as ready as we will ever be."
-Staff Reporter Joe Borlik contributed to this report.
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