Faculty Legislation II-104: Honors Designations at Commencement

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Policy Number:
UW-861
Old Policy Number:
II-104
Responsible Office:
Office of the Secretary of the Faculty

University Policy

Policy:

  1. Invitation to the Honors Convocation. Invitation to participate in the honors convocation will be extended to students who are expected to graduate and who either:

    1. Have a cumulative grade-point average that places them in the top 20% of students in the school or college in which they are enrolled;
    2. Have earned 60 credits or more at UW–Madison; or

    3. Are candidates for an honors degree, whether they are in the top 20% of their class or not.

  2. Notations. Notations citing graduation distinction or honors will be made as follows on the diplomas and transcripts of students who complete degree requirements:

    1. A notation of the honors degree (i.e., Bachelor of Arts-Honors) will be placed on the diploma and the transcript of students who have completed the requirements of an honors program.
    2. The notation “Graduate with Distinction” will be placed on the transcript of any student who has earned a cumulative grade-point average that places the student within the top 20% of students graduating that term in their college.
  3. Implementation.
    1. The revised criteria noted above will go into effect with the May 1979 honors convocation and commencement.
    2. The registrar will determine cumulative grade-point average and student rank as required by these criteria, employing procedures approved by the Associate Administrative Council.
  4. Other Forms of Recognition. These criteria for the designation of honors at graduation, and graduation with distinction, will not preclude schools and colleges from specifying additional types of recognition, such as high honors, or thesis honors.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

UW–Madison Faculty Document 298 – 6 February 1978

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Secretary of the Faculty
Policy Manager:
Secretary of the Faculty
Contact:
Secretary of the Faculty -- Heather Daniels, sof@secfac.wisc.edu, (608) 265-4562
Effective Date:
02-06-1978
Retrieved:
10-31-2025 06:49:49