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The summer discussion board is a place where incoming and prospective Honors students come together to discuss the summer reading. The summer discussion board will begin on July 20th, 2009.
Format
The Discussion board consists of two main areas: social and academic. The social section is a place for students to meet each other and exchange contact information. This section is relatively unstructured, although we do post an initial prompt to get the discussion started. The academic section is a place where students and faculty discuss the summer reading. Students will respond to approximately two prompts on each book. Students are expected to post their own responses, as well as discuss others' responses.
The discussions have proven lively and interesting in past years, and they are a terrific preview of what an Honors education is like. In Honors, we value depth and discussion as a way of exploring topics and deepening our understanding of the world, cultures, and ideas that surround us daily.
The discussion is launched around the end of July using Gallaudet University's Blackboard site (my.gallaudet.edu). Students should be sure that their username and password work before the discussion is launched. If students have difficulty accessing my.gallaudet.edu, they should go to helpdesk.gallaudet.edu for assistance.
What We Look For
The Summer Discussion Board is a key component of our admissions process. When the discussion is completed, we measure each students participation in both sections. We examine the quality and the quantity of a student's participation. Please remember that each student's participation may affect their placement in Honors. Students who have already been admitted to Honors are also expected to participate fully. Failure to do so may jeopardize that student's placement in Honors. Please note that for those students receiving scholarships, a different placement will affect the scholarship award.
Vacations, Traveling, and the like...
If a student is going to be away for a significant amount of time while the discussion is happening, please communicate with geoffrey.whitebread@gallaudet.edu in advance to arrange alternative work.
What happens if I do not meet the expectations of the discussion board or the Honors Retreat?
Students who do not meet expectations for the discussion board or the retreat will simply be removed from consideration from Honors. Students may re-apply to Honors at the conclusion of their first year (or anytime thereafter). Expectations will be clearly and precisely stated at the beginning of the summer discussion board. Students are invited and expected to seek clarification if they have any questions with regards to the expectations. In the interest of giving all students an equal opportunity, Students will not be removed for these reasons until after the discussion board has concluded. Because of the late notice this necessarily requires, Honors will provide accommodations for students in the residence halls. Students will be responsible for food and other expenses that result from being removed from consideration due to lack of participation.
Students will have the opportunity to appeal a removal decision before the retreat occurs.
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