Evaluation

At the end of every semester, honors students always have the opportunity to evaluate the courses and seminars in which they have participated. Evaluation instruments from the respective academic departments are shared with the Honors Program. These evaluations are the best way for students to express opinions about the course content and quality of instruction. Since some courses are experimental in nature, student evaluations help the faculty determine the successful components of new ventures. 

In the fall class meetings, all honors students are asked to complete program assessment instruments appropriate for their class level and honors program experiences.   

• First-year students respond to a series of questions on the program brochure, orientation, advising and the effectiveness of communication of program events and opportunities.

•  Sophomores and juniors are asked to assess the program as they have experienced it, offering suggestions for change and improvement. They are asked to identify courses and seminars that have been particularly effective or that need improvement and problems they have faced in scheduling honors requirements. Honors scholars are asked to judge the value of their core courses, and all honors students are again asked to assess the effectiveness of communication within the program.

•  In the fall, seniors complete a survey similar to that completed in their second and third years. In addition, they respond to questions concerned with their senior honors project. In the spring, when they have completed their projects, they are asked to provide commentary and final evaluation of that experience. Seniors are invited to follow their written evaluations with an exit interview.