The way the Honors Program has structured the two semester first-year course sequence called Pathways to Honors (HON 101 and HON 102) is such that continuity between the two semesters is important. Most if not all faculty teaching Pathways to Honors introduce students to the Honors Program but also introduce them to the research process by teaching them about their own scholarship and requiring them to undertake a scholarly project. Because of this structure, the Honors Program generally does not allow students to switch sections of HON 102 after their first semester. Students are expected to continue with their same professor from HON 101 into HON 102 to maintain continuity.
We do allow exceptions for two reasons. Here is the policy as stated in the Honors Handbook:
Students are required to remain in the same section of HON 102 (i.e., with the same professor) unless that section of HON 102: (a) conflicts with a course required for their major, or (b) they have a university commitment that conflicts with the time for the course (e.g., practice for a sport).
As noted, this is because we want continuity for both students and faculty between the two semesters. Students who believe they meet one of the two exceptions must fill out the proper paperwork (this form) and submit it to the Honors Program Office for evaluation.
Examples of Compelling Justifications for Switching Sections of HON 102
Hypothetical Student #1:
I’m a Biology major. I need to take CHE 232 for my major but the only open section conflicts with when my section of HON 102 is scheduled. As a result, I meet one of the exceptions for switching sections and respectfully request that I be allowed to switch sections.
Hypothetical Student #2:
I’m on the lacrosse team at UT. Now that we are in season, I have practices every day of the week from noon to 3:00 pm. My section of HON 102 is at 2:00 pm on Thursdays. As a result, I meet one of the exceptions for switching sections and respectfully request that I be allowed to switch sections.
Examples of Requests for Changing Sections of HON 102 That Will Be Denied
Hypothetical Student #1:
I structured my schedule this semester so I only have to take courses on Tuesdays and Thursdays because it’s really convenient for me and I can spend the rest of my time playing video games and going to the beach. My section of HON 102 is on Mondays. So, I’d like to switch because it is cutting into my chill time.
Hypothetical Student #2:
There’s a section of Sociology 100 with a professor who is rated as really easy on ratemyprofessor.com at the same time as my section of HON 102. I’d really like to take that section even though there are about a dozen other sections that are available at different times. So, I’d like to switch because I want an easy A in my SOC 100 course.