The Latin and English honors criteria, we believe, should include the following:
•Cum laude: In order to receive this level of honors, students must either write a thesis of a certain quality or receive a recommendation from their major department. The current GPA standard (as determined by the faculty) or set at 11.0, could possibly be raised so that fewer students receive cum laude.
•Magna cum laude: A thesis must be written, of a higher quality than that required for cum laude. No recommendation is required. The GPA standard is currently 11.5, but may be changed.
•Summa cum laude: Thesis quality must exceed that of magna cum laude and a recommendation from the department is required. As it does in the current system, the Committee of Six will review all recommendations and make a final decision on their eligibility for summa cum laude.
•High distinction / distinction: We are concerned that there will not be enough of a difference between English and Latin honors with distinction being moved from a departmental to a College level. English honors should not be tied to any sort of core curriculum, which would contradict Amherst's traditional absence of distribution requirements and may harm students' choices of majors and courses. They should also not serve as a consolation prize for students who meet a GPA requirement but lack a recommendation or thesis.
The new honors system is expected to be complete by the end of the semester, but should not be implemented for current students. The new system should take effect for the incoming freshmen, the Class of 2006.