Agenda Item # 5 -FA 06-36: Submitted by the Academic Standards Committee

Provided at least forty-eight (48) semester hours of course work have been completed at UNF, undergraduate students who graduate with UNF grade point averages of 3.5 or higher and who rank in the top twenty percent of their College’s graduating class will qualify for degrees designated cum laude; those who graduate with UNF grade point averages of 3.65 or higher and who rank in the top twenty percent of their College’s graduating class will qualify for degrees designated magna cum laude; and those who graduate with UNF grade point averages of 3.8 or higher and who rank in the top twenty percent of their College’s graduating class will qualify for degrees designated summa cum laude. GPA calculations will be based on all credits earned at UNF. A minimum of thirty (30) hours are required for honors in a second baccalaureate degree.

Rationale:
The 20% rule causes students with grade point averages above the minimum for each level of recognition to be excluded from Latin Honors designation. Designating a static grade point average establishes a definite goal for students, unlike the 20% cutoff which is uncertain until after final grades have been posted. Removing the 20% rule will eliminate petitions which result from excluded students. The following table provides information concerning the number of students affected by the 20% rule during a recent typical semester: