Chapter 11. Honors

11.1 At the time an agency certifies that a student has fulfilled the requirements for a major, it may recommend the award of Honors or Highest Honors in the major field. The notation "Honors (or Highest Honors) in (name of major)" shall appear on the diploma and on the transcript. (Am 27 Jan 71; EC 1 Aug 76)

11.2 The Faculty of each college shall recommend in writing such of its students as it deems merit the award of honors for overall academic work. It shall send such recommendations to the Registrar. The notation, "College Honors" shall appear on the diploma and on the transcript. (Am 27 Jan 71)

11.3 In accordance with SR 640, each agency that has an approved major that elects to award Honors shall submit the criteria for such an award to the Committee on Educational Policy for its review, approval, and permanent record. Any change in criteria will require resubmittal. (En 31 May 78; CC 28 Jan 81, 31 Aug 99)

11.4 For the purposes of interpreting SCR 11.5-6, honors eligibility for students whose degree program is in an established School shall be based upon the GPA thresholds calculated for their School. Honors eligibility for other students shall be based upon the GPA thresholds calculated for students whose degree program is not part of an established School. The term “group” refers to groups defined in this way. (En 9 Nov 07)

11.5 University Honors at graduation shall be awarded by a student’s college, subject only to criteria provided here and in 11.7. Students eligible for University Honors at graduation shall be those who have completed 70 or more credits at the University of California and have attained in their group a UC GPA that places them in rankings as follows: summa cum laude, top 2%; magna cum laude, next 3%; cum laude, next 10%. Each year and for each group the Registrar shall calculate the GPA threshholds required for these levels of University Honors, based on the GPAs of recent graduates. These GPA thresholds shall be published and serve as criteria for University Honors at graduation during the next academic year. The notation “University Honors, (Summa/Magna) cum Laude” (as appropriate) shall appear on the diploma and on the transcript. (En 9 Nov 07)

11.6 Students will be eligible for quarterly Dean’s Honors if they have earned a minimum of 12 credits that quarter, of which at least 10 are graded, with a term grade point average equal to or higher than that required for University Honors at graduation in their group for the current academic year. (En 9 Nov 07; Am 13 Mar 24)

Students on the University Part Time Program are eligible with 10 or fewer graded credits, with a term grade point average equal to or higher than that required for University Honors at graduation in their group for the current academic year. Dean’s Honors are listed on student transcripts. (En 13 Mar 24)

11.7 Any student who has a reportable disciplinary sanction for a violation of academic integrity policies may be ineligible for any honors designation, at the discretion of the agency that awards the designation. (En 9 Nov 07)