College of Letters and Science Faculty Document No. 708
May 5, 2005

Recommendation of the Honors Program Committee to Change the Name of the University Honors Program

Recommendation:

That the L&S Faculty recommends to the Dean approval of the proposal of the Honors Program Committee to change the name of the University Honors Program to the Honors College.

Rationale:

The Honors Program Committee believes that an Honors College at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will provide several advantages to the institution. For example, it will:

• increase the visibility and prestige of the Honors Program;
• enhance the University's ability to attract and retain academically accomplished students;
• make the Honors College and its activities attractive to potential donors.

The Honors College will remain a unit (college within a college) under the administrative authority of the College of Letters and Science. The name change does not involve nor imply any changes to current administrative, budgetary, or programmatic arrangements. The unit will continue to be administered by a director.

The name change follows a trend for honors programs across the country. A number of these honors colleges have secured sizeable donations that allow them to expand their membership and services. Any such changes in the Honors College at UWM will be undertaken only if new monies become available from outside sources. The Honors Program director and the members of the Honors Program Committee are optimistic that the name change is a first step in attracting more students and donors to the program.