The National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) says that an honors college should incorporate all of the relevant characteristics of a fully developed honors program. The NCHC says that an honors program “should be both visible and highly reputed throughout the institution so that it is perceived as providing standards and models of excellence for students and faculty across the campus.” This is one characteristic that the honors college at Southern Arkansas University lacks.
Most of the students and faculty at SAU have heard of the Honors residence hall, but not necessarily of the Honors College itself. Of course, visiting the school’s website (http://www.saumag.edu) and going to “Academics” > “Schools & Colleges” > “Honors College” will bring up a page that describes the Honors College, but it is something that a person has to be looking for, it is not stumbled upon randomly. Also, the description page is nice, but it is only words on a screen. It does not convey the full picture. The “facilities” link on the description page has a few photos, but only of the outside of the building, inside the laundry room, and a small diagram of the room layout.
More pictures on the website may help. Making the honors site more accessible may also assist in getting the word out about SAU’s honors program. Another thing that could help would be to participate in more on-campus events, such as the Homecoming Banner Contest. Both the Leadership College (Honors – South) and the Residential College (Fincher Hall) participated in the contest, as did Greene Hall (the hall in which most art majors are housed). Also participating were several sororities and fraternities. Creating and decorating these banners would not only be a fun thing to do, it could bring acknowledgement to the Honors College and its students.
The SAU Honors College has some work to do, but it is not impossible. In order for the group to grow, its recognition must improve. With the work of honors students and help from faculty members across the campus, knowledge of the honors college can spread and flourish.
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