This editorial board was shocked to learn that the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program, affectionately referred to as the “Honors College” did not have its own budget. The element of shock and surprise originated with how well the program has grown over the years without a budget. Imagine what it could do if it had its own budget.
For those who may not be aware, the Du Bois Honors Program attract a number of scholars who have graduated from various high school across the country and assembled them in a program for high achievers.
State-supported colleges and universities like Alabama State University have honors programs to attract and retain students who might have otherwise chosen another school, whether it be a highly regarded privately-supported liberal arts college or an exceptionally selective private national research university.
In most cases, the curriculum is different from the regular curriculum of undergraduates. This could mean attending seminars or taking core courses within the honors program rather than in the regular undergraduate class, i.e. Honors English II rather than English II.
Honors courses and programs provide smaller classes that are more discussion based, and many of those courses are exclusive to honors students. Smaller class settings allow for more interaction with classmates and professors and foster thoughtful discussions.
While it seems like a lot of extra work, honors programs typically offer additional support to students during and after the program. Honors advisors and mentors are available to help students develop and polish a thesis and even provide guidance and help when applying to graduate programs. With all these benefits, it is important to point out that being admitted isn not enough. Honors students generally have to maintain a certain GPA to stay in the program and meet certain course requirements.
In some cases, like at Alabama State University, honors college students live in the same housing, allowing for a unique living-learning community experience. At some schools honors students also get priority when scheduling classes in order to help balance required honors courses with the regular undergraduate classes.
Now before we go any further, the university provides these scholars with exceptional scholarships and other benefits that regular underclassmen do not possess. It is a plus for these students because they do not have to incur a large debt or any debt at all for a college education.
Many of these honors students will go on to graduate or professional school where they will achieve greatness as a computer scientist, medical doctor, lawyer and the list goes on.
However, if the Du Bois Honors Programs had a budget, the students could take needed field trips for exposure, renowned speakers and needed equipment.
Remember, most students who are in the Du Bois Honors Program had other alternative options, but they selected Alabama State University. And while the university does offer some intangible perks such as a close knit honors community, these group of students will need more as they have a vested interest in their education and personal growth beyond simply earning a degree.
Hopefully, university administrators will consider appropriating more money to the honors college. It can never be money wasted.