Honors News: December 9, 2024
Office Hours, Canvas Updates, Graduation, and More!
This is it! Today officially marks the beginning of finals week. Whether you’re studying, writing, revising, or recovering we’ve got some exciting developments in the program. This week, learn more about tracking your points on Canvas and getting registered for classes. Also, in our mini-compass—sign up to join our first Honors Study Abroad and travel to Ireland this summer while gaining valuable research experience.
In this Edition
Finals Week Honors Office Hours
Important Updates and FAQ - Tracking Honors Points in Canvas
Preserve your Honors Status - Register for Spring 2025 Honors Classes
New to Honors? Take a Required First-Semester Credit
SF Honors Presents: Psychology Research in Ireland Study Abroad
Florida Undergraduate Research Leadership Summit
Finals Week Honors Office Hours - Virtual Only
This week, if you have Honors-related questions you can do it while taking a break from studying and from the comfort of your apartment, bedroom, or library! Join me on Zoom at https://sfcollege.zoom.us/my/honors and I’ll be happy to talk as soon as I’m free. If you have a question but can’t meet at this time, just send an email to honors@sfcollege.edu
Important Updates and FAQ - Tracking Honors Points in Canvas
Last week, we were thrilled to finally launch a project nearly a year in the making. Starting now, you can track all your Honors points in Canvas. In just the past few days, we’ve seen many of you start using this system, but you’ve also had questions. Look below for some important updates and helpful information.
Q: How do I use this system?
Just log into the Honors Canvas Community and click on the button titled “Honors Points.” In that module, you can see all the ways we currently recognize Honors points. Each one of those entries is an assignment where you can submit documentation for a points-earning involvement and learn about opportunities to earn Honors Points.
Q: If I’m graduating now, do I need to use this?
If you plan to graduate in Fall 2024 (right now), don’t worry about the new system. You can use your current spreadsheet and portfolio to track your points and submit documentation. If you plan to remain at SF beyond the Fall, it’s time to start using the new system.
Q: When should I start recording points? Does it have to happen now—during FINALS WEEK!?
We’re very excited for you to start using our new system, but we also understand that it’s finals week and you have a lot of other commitments. For points activities related to this semester and earlier, you have until January 31 to submit your documentation.
Q: What do I do about documenting past semesters? Is it too late?
It is *not* too late to document involvements from past semesters! Just submit your information for those involvements before January 31, 2025 and we can count them for Honors Points.
Q: What if I have multiple entries for one kind of involvement (e.g., several Honors Classes)?
If you have multiple Honors classes, volunteer experiences, internships, or other kind of involvement, just submit each of them as a standalone attempt for the assignment. We’ll be able to review all of your submissions and make sure that your awarded points reflect everything you’ve submitted.
Q: What if I’m not sure what category to use for an activity or involvement?
If you’re unsure of where to record your Honors Points, just reach out to the Honors Program Office (honors@sfcollege.edu) and let us know. We can help you figure out which category is the best fit and how many points you can anticipate earning.
Q: What if there isn’t an appropriate category or I think the involvement should earn a different number of points?
If you think an involvement should earn a different number of points or you feel that an activity doesn’t fit in any existing category, you should submit an Honors Points Proposal. Be sure to include a thorough description of the activity, full justification of the reclassification or point value, and sufficient documentation to support your proposal. If you have questions, just reach out to the Honors Program Office (honors@sfcollege.edu.
Q: What does this change mean for the portfolio?
Because Canvas can now document your involvements, the Honors Portfolio isn’t an essential requirement for graduation with Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors. Instead, documenting all of your involvement in the Portfolio will be an optional submission that earns additional Honors Points. Look for an assignment where you can submit this in the Spring semester.
Preserve your Honors Status - Register for Spring 2025 Honors Classes
If you haven’t gotten a chance to sign up for Honors classes for the spring, we want to remind you that membership in the Honors Program requires that you earn at least 30 Honors Points per semester, and that 3 credits of Honors coursework is the most straightforward way that you can earn your needed points. Luckily, although classes are filling up, there is still space available. To sign up now, just complete a registration request.
Check eSantaFe for Registration Holds
Before you register, be sure to check your eSantaFe account for registration holds. Holds, such as the requirement to complete a registration agreement or meet with an advisor, will result in you being ineligible to register for courses and significantly delay processing.
New to Honors? Remember to take a first-semester credit
We know that having a strong foundation and common academic experience are great ways to make sure you are successful in the Honors Program. As such, all new Honors Program members accepted for Spring 2025 are required to sign up for one of the following courses for the Spring 2025 semester.
Sign up for one of the courses below. Each course is a one-credit class that will require up to 3 - 4 hours of involvement per week. If the class is SLS1320, you will need to submit a registration request, but you can enroll in LIS1002 and LIS2004 via eSantaFe like any other class. If you are not able to register for one of these courses or if registering for one of these courses for the spring would present an inordinate burden, please email honors@sfcollege.edu so that we can coordinate on a solution.
Option 1: Honors Foundation Seminar (SLS1320) The Honors Foundation Seminar gives you an opportunity to connect with other members of the Honors Program, SF resources, and our local community. Build a strong foundation in the Honors Program while working together on a semester-long service project that supports a local organization! Because this is an Honors course, it is worth 10 Honors Points. This class meets once per week on Fridays—section GH1 at 9:30 and section GH2 at 11:00—and begins in Spring G (February 2).
Option 2: Library Online Resources (LIS1002) Library Online Resources is a one credit hour course that provides an introduction to information retrieval using SF library databases. This class is available online in either Spring A (first half of spring) or Spring B (second half of spring). You can register for this class on your own through eSantaFe.
Option 3: Internet Research (LIS2004) Internet Research is a one credit hour course that focuses on methods of accessing information resources available through the Internet. Students will learn how to design effective search strategies and how to retrieve, evaluate, and cite Internet sources. This class is available online in either Spring A (first half of spring) or Spring B (second half of spring). You can register for this class on your own through eSantaFe.
SF Honors Presents - Psychology Research in Ireland Study Abroad
30 Honors Points for Study Abroad Participation
Join an exciting study abroad program designed for SF Honors students! Explore the beautiful landscapes and vibrant culture of Ireland while earning credit in General Psychology (PSY2012) and Mathematics Special Topics (MAT1931). This unique experience combines psychology and data analysis in a hands-on research project in Dublin and Donegal, Ireland.
Why Participate?
Walk the historic streets of Dublin and Donegal.
Immerse yourself in Irish culture and traditions.
Explore the stunning Irish countryside, including Yeats Country and the Sliabh Liag Cliffs.
Gain research experience in a hands-on, cross-cultural project
Estimated Cost: $4,400 (includes airfare)
Scholarships ranging from $1,000–$1,500 are available.
Next Steps:
Visit sfcollege.edu/studyabroad to learn more or contact:
Prof. Breanne Hooks at breanne.hooks@sfcollege.edu
Dr. Dana Lindsey at dana.lindsey@sfcollege.edu
Florida Undergraduate Research Leadership Summit
10 Honors Points per day of Attendance
About FURLS: The Florida Undergraduate Research Leadership Summit (FURLS) is a UF-hosted event that provides students with the opportunity to connect with their peers and build an undergraduate research culture. The summit will include keynote speakers, a graduate student Q&A panel, and student-led workshops and discussions pertaining to the advancement of undergraduate research.
About Event: This event will commence with an evening reception and keynote speaker on Friday night. The following day, they will host a networking activity, a series of student-led workshops, and close with a roundtable discussion and other interactive activities.
If you are interested in attending, email honors@sfcollege.edu. The honors program will cover registration costs for students interested in attending and contributing to FURLS.
In addition to registration, workshop abstract submissions for the event are open until Friday, January 10th at 11:59 pm. Workshops are typically presented by a group of students from the same institution on topics about undergraduate research leadership of the theme this year. Most students who attend FURLS present a workshop, but it is not required. They will review all abstracts and let you know if it has been accepted, shortly after the deadline.
Contact Information: sarahgarfield@ufl.edu or desarajut@ufl.edu
Registration Deadline: Monday, December 20th at 11:59 PM
Date: January 31st- February 1st
Location: Ustler Hall at UF