{"id":1650,"date":"2025-09-29T14:44:58","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T18:44:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/honors\/?page_id=1650"},"modified":"2026-05-06T15:11:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T19:11:11","slug":"honors-guidelines-for-advisors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/honors\/honors-guidelines-for-advisors\/","title":{"rendered":"Honors Guidelines for Advisors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

2025-2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/h3>
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Since 1927 ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ has offered an Honors Program to promote, develop, and recognize work of higher quality than ordinarily required for the baccalaureate degree. The program encourages students to achieve mastery of a specific topic within the context of a major by giving qualified candidates an opportunity to conduct extensive independent study and research in their majors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honors study proceeds throughout fall and winter semesters of the senior year under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Nomination of students for Honors is determined by the academic departments and programs. Departments and programs are encouraged to establish standards and procedures for their honors programs and to make these available on their websites. Students interested in pursuing Honors should consult in their junior year with the chair of their major department or program regarding the standards and procedures for the nomination process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The award of Honors is given to those candidates who distinguish themselves in their major and who successfully complete the two-semester writing, performance, or creative project. The expectation is that to receive Honors, the submitted written portion and examined thesis should be the equivalent of an \u201cA\u201d thesis. While the faculty and the Committee recognize the importance of the growth that occurs during the process of researching and writing the thesis, to receive Honors, the candidate\u2019s submitted product should be an exceptional one that meets the department or program\u2019s standards for the award of honors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Honors Program consists of writing a substantial thesis and an oral examination on the thesis. In an alternative offered by some departments, eligible students elect a program consisting of a performance or a project in the creative arts, a written component based on the project, and an oral examination on the project. Oral-examination committees include the Thesis Advisor, a member of the major department or program, at least one faculty member from a different department or program, and an examiner who specializes in the field of study and is from another institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Honors procedures are built around absolute deadlines so that each step can proceed unencumbered. Adherence to the schedule is a part of the qualification to the program. See Honors Timeline Checklist on the following page for details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honors theses become part of the holdings of the archives of the college. Electronic copies are stored and made available through our institutional repository, SCARAB: Digital Commons@ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ (http:\/\/scarab.bates.edu\/honorstheses).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please familiarize yourself with the Honors Program Website (http:\/\/www.bates.edu\/honors<\/a>)<\/a> as it contains the information in this guide, as well as walk-throughs of the submission process, printable schedules, and contacts. Questions regarding the program should be directed to anyone on the committee.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Honors Committee<\/h3>
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Helen Boucher (Chair): hboucher@bates.edu<\/a>
Jason Castro: jcastro@bates.edu<\/a>
Ian Khara Ellasante: iellasan@bates.edu<\/a>
Yun Garrison: ygarriso@bates.edu<\/a>
Krista Aronson (ex officio); karonson@bates.edu<\/a>
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Mary Meserve (Staff Coordinator); mmeserve@bates.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Honors Timeline and Adviser \/ Student Responsibilities<\/h3>
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All deadlines are absolutes<\/strong>. Candidates with late submissions will be disqualified from the program. Theses should be finished several days or even a week early to be assured of meeting the deadline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Advisors and Candidates (2025 May Graduates)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date<\/strong><\/td>Event \/ Form<\/strong><\/td>Advisor<\/strong><\/td>Candidate<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
January 16, 2026<\/td>Nomination Form Due<\/td>\u221a<\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
January 21, 2026<\/td>Honors Orientation<\/td>\u221a<\/td>\u221a<\/td><\/tr>
January 30, 2026<\/td>Thesis Abstracts Draft Due<\/td> <\/td>\u221a<\/td><\/tr>
February 25, 2026<\/td>Exam Panel Registration Form Due<\/td>\u221a<\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
February 25, 2026<\/td>Outside Examiner Travel\/ Accommodation Form<\/td>\u221a<\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
April 6, 2026 \u2013 4:00pm<\/td>Thesis Submission Deadline (SCARAB)<\/td> <\/td>\u221a<\/td><\/tr>
April 13 \u2013 May 1, 2026<\/td>Thesis Defense Period<\/td>\u221a<\/td>\u221a<\/td><\/tr>
April 29, 2026<\/td>Faculty & Outside Examiner Expense Form Due<\/td>\u221a<\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
May 6, 2026 5:30pm<\/td>Honors Banquet<\/td>\u221a<\/td>\u221a<\/td><\/tr>
May 8, 2026 4:00pm<\/td>Thesis Revisions by students (SCARAB) Deadline <\/td><\/td>\u221a<\/td><\/tr>
May 8, 2026 4:00pm<\/td>Thesis Correction Form and Access and Embargo Form Due<\/td>\u221a<\/td>\u221a<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Nominations of Candidates for Honors<\/h3>
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Individual departments and programs select Honors candidates and send their names to the Honors Committee. Each department or program establishes its own standards and procedures for admission to the Honors Program that should be articulated in writing and available on their websites. As a guideline, roughly 10% of the majors in any department or program should be invited for honors. Students who wish to be nominated to the Honors Program should consult with their major department(s) or program(s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Honors Committee encourages early identification of candidates. No nominations will be accepted after the deadline listed on the Honors Timeline Checklist. When possible, preparation should begin during the junior year or the Short Term preceding the senior year. Candidates should discuss the feasibility of their research early with their advisors and Ladd Research Librarians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ does not wish to see any disadvantage or interference in a student\u2019s education because of a disability. The committee and college provide reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Please talk with your Thesis Advisor and chair of the Honors Committee to request an accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A student double majoring may present a single thesis for fulfillment of Honors in both of their major disciplines, if both departments and\/or programs agree. To present a single thesis for two majors, the candidate must be separately nominated by both departments and\/or programs. Such a candidate must have two advisors, one from each department or program. The student registers for the thesis in one department or program in the fall semester and the other in winter semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Honors thesis is a yearlong project. The candidates nominated in January should have already accomplished substantial work by the end of the first semester. The Honors Committee reserves the right to question the qualifications of candidates whose overall record appears weak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 December graduates should consult with their advisor to work out logistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even after candidates are nominated to the Honors Program in January, they may withdraw at any time. Faculty may also withdraw students from the Honors Program if their work or progress is not satisfactory. Forms for nomination of both regular and December graduates, and honors withdrawal forms are at http:\/\/www.bates.edu\/honors\/honors-forms\/<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Initial Submission of Abstract and Thesis<\/h3>
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Abstract<\/h3>
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All Honors candidates submit an initial titled, one-paragraph thesis abstract of 250 words or less to by the date listed on the Honors Timeline Checklist. Abstracts must be submitted via the Thesis Abstract Submission<\/a> webform on the Honors website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the thesis is complete, students must provide their revised abstract in the Honors Thesis submission form on SCARAB at the same time they upload their thesis.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Thesis<\/h3>
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It is the responsibility of the Honors Candidate to upload their original thesis to SCARAB no later than 4:00pm on the date listed on the Honors Timeline Checklist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Only the advisor and the examination panel will have access to the first submission of the senior thesis on SCARAB. Consequently, in the initial thesis submission through SCARAB, candidates select \u201cOpen Access\u201d with \u201cNo Embargo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the thesis is an artistic composition, candidates must upload a written statement. At the oral-examination stage of the process, the thesis will only be available to the examination panel.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Advisor and Panel Access to the Thesis on SCARAB<\/h3>
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Each honors thesis culminates in an oral examination before a panel of scholars. Once the thesis is submitted, the advisor and each voting member of the examination panel receive an email with a link to the thesis and an explanation of how to access it. The thesis may also be accessed directly at http:\/\/scarab.bates.edu\/honorstheses\/.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The procedure for logging onto SCARAB is in the Guide for Panel Access to Honors Thesis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The email also contains a link to the Individual Evaluation Form<\/a>. Each voting examiner completes the form before the oral examination and submits the form electronically via the Honors website.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Oral Examination<\/h3>
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The Honors examination gives the candidate the opportunity to discuss and defend the work before professionals in the field. Each panel consists of a chair, who is usually a ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ faculty member from a department or program other than the candidate\u2019s; a member of the faculty from the candidate\u2019s department or program; and a scholar in the field from another institution. The student\u2019s advisor serves as a non-voting member of the panel. While departments or programs might organize a public presentation of a student’s work, the examination itself is not open to people outside of the panel members and the candidate. A protocol of the oral examination<\/a> is on the Honors website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Honors calendar provides adequate time between submission of thesis and the oral exam to allow the thesis to be studied by the examining panel. The candidate\u2019s Thesis Advisor schedules the date, time, and place of the oral examination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the examination, the Thesis Advisor should meet with the student and discuss the exam. As soon as possible after the examination, the Thesis Advisor informs the candidate of the results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the oral examination, each voting panel member will have submitted the Individual Evaluation Form<\/a> via the website with a typed evaluation of the thesis and a recommendation of Honors, Honors with reservations, or no Honors. The written thesis or performance counts 60% toward the final award and the oral examination counts 40%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conduct of the oral examination is the responsibility of the panel chair, who is usually the faculty member from outside the department or program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The panel chair determines the order in which members question the candidate. The panel chair may wish to begin the process by asking the candidate to give a brief outline of their work or may give the advisor the opportunity to ask an opening question. It is helpful to agree beforehand on the amount of time allotted to each examiner so that all panelists may participate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oral examinations normally last about 90 minutes. However, some situations may call for more time. The expectation is that to receive Honors, the submitted written portion and examined thesis should be the equivalent of an \u201cA\u201d thesis. While faculty and the Honors Committee recognize the importance of the growth that occurs during the process of researching and writing the thesis, to receive Honors the student\u2019s submitted product should be an exceptional one. Specific standards and expectations about what constitutes Honors level work are determined by individual departments and programs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The panel chair is responsible for submitting the Panel Evaluation Form<\/a>, which reports the examination results. After the panel chair submits the form, it will automatically be forwarded to each member of the panel to confirm the results with their electronic signature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the Honors Examination Flow Chart<\/a> for a one-page summary of the process.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Setting up the Panel<\/h3>
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The examination panel is composed of an outside examiner, the Thesis Advisor, a departmental or program faculty member, and a non-departmental or program faculty member. Departments and programs should articulate in writing the standards for the Honors designation to outside examiners and to faculty members who sit on panels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is the responsibility of the Thesis Advisor to invite colleagues and, in consultation with the chair of the department or program, an outside examiner to sit on the examining panel. The Thesis Advisor submits the names to the Honors Committee on the Examination Panel Registration Form by the date listed on the Honors Timeline Checklist. In consideration of workload issues, it is the expectation of the Honors Committee that a faculty member serves on no more than three honors panels in addition to those the faculty member directs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Thesis Advisor sets the date, time and place of the examination in consultation with the outside examiner, and the examination panel that he or she recommends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Honors Committee approves the examination panel, based on thesis topic and availability of faculty. Because the Honors Committee attempts to balance panels to avoid unnecessary burdens on individual faculty members, the Committee may solicit faculty whose names are not on the form. Although panel members are generally chosen on the basis of familiarity with the candidate\u2019s topic, the degree of professional knowledge will vary.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Honors Committee designates the chair of the panel. In naming the panel chair, the Committee looks for the ability to judge the candidate\u2019s performance and to conduct an effective examination, but it is usually the non-departmental or program member.

Panels for Double Majors<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students nominated for Honors by two departments or programs and who are submitting one thesis for both shall have only one oral examination. The guidelines above apply, excepting the first paragraph, which should read: The examination panel will consist of six members: one outside examiner to be agreed upon by both advisors; the two non-voting Thesis Advisors (one from each participating department or program); two departmental or program faculty members, one from each department or program; one non-departmental or program faculty member to be agreed upon by both advisors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/a>Panels for Interdisciplinary Majors<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

For students nominated for Honors who are pursuing a self-designed major in Interdisciplinary Studies, the guidelines above apply, excepting the first paragraph, which should read: The examination panel will consist of one outside examiner, the Thesis Advisor (as non-voting member), one faculty member from the student\u2019s Interdisciplinary Advisory Board, who will act as the departmental faculty member, and one faculty member who is not on the student\u2019s advisory panel, who will act as the non-departmental member.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Selecting an Outside Examiner<\/h3>
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By the date listed on the Honors Timeline Checklist, each Thesis Advisor, in discussion with the chair of the department or program, selects the outside examiner, keeping the following criteria in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside examiners are chosen for their competence in evaluating the work of Honors candidates. The vitality of the Honors Program is best ensured over the years by providing a variety of examiners representing a wide range of colleges and universities. If appropriate to the field (e.g., performing arts), the Thesis Advisor may invite non-academic experts to serve as outside examiners. Outside examiners will receive a $250 honorarium after the Honors exam has taken place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The committee recommends the use of Zoom to facilitate outside examiners, whenever appropriate. Oral exams conducted by Zoom make available scholars who would not otherwise be able to travel to ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, reduce our carbon footprint, and provide budgetary savings. These examinations are held in various locations on campus. The appropriate Academic Administrative Assistant can make the room reservation for you. <\/a> In the case that a foreign national would be serving as the outside examiner, contact Jason Scheideman (jscheide@bates.edu<\/a> or 207-753-6982) for information and assistance with any visa processing.
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Outside Examiner Expenses and Honoraria<\/h3>
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Each outside examiner receives instructions about how to access the online thesis, a copy of the Honors Program Guidelines, links to the Individual Evaluation Form<\/a>, IRS W-9 Form<\/a> or Form W-8BEN<\/a>, and relevant travel reimbursement information. To qualify for reimbursement of any travel expenses, the outside examiner must submit all applicable receipts to the Academic Administrative Assistant for the appropriate department or program, as well as submit the IRS W-9 Form<\/a> (or Form W-8BEN<\/a> if a non-U.S. citizens\/resident) electronically by the date listed on the Honors Timeline Checklist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside examiners for performance-based honors theses evaluate both the performance and the written thesis. When there is a significant gap in time between the performance and the examination on the written component, the single honorarium will be evenly split with one half remitted after the evaluation of the performance and the other half remitted after the oral examination of the written thesis. Travel expenses will be reimbursed at the time they are incurred.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Expenses Associated with an Outside Examiner<\/h3>
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Meal and entertainment expenses incurred by ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ faculty on behalf of each Honors candidate are reimbursable to $200 as indicated on Faculty Expense Guidelines<\/a>.<\/a>  Any additional amount must either be paid by the department or program, with prior permission of the appropriate Chair, or the advisor.  Entertainment funds are for various social occasions, but usually for a dinner with the Honors Candidate, which may include the outside examiner. To qualify for reimbursement, the Thesis Advisor must submit a completed Payment Request Form<\/a> and applicable receipts by the date listed on the Honors Timeline Checklist to the Academic Administrative Assistant for the appropriate department or program.
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Examination Protocol for Honors Panelists<\/h3>
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The Honors Program provides qualified ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ students with an opportunity to pursue the independent research and study necessary to achieve mastery of a specific topic within the context of a major. The honors panel is a valuable element in this process for it allows the candidate to discuss and defend this work before recognized professionals in the field. The Honors Committee offers the following protocol to assist in the oral examination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the Honors Panel Convenes<\/h3>
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An Honors thesis of \u201cA\u201d quality with significant research and high-quality thinking and writing shall have been submitted by the candidate. While the faculty and the committee recognize the importance of the development that occurs during the thesis process, to receive an award of Honors, the student\u2019s submitted thesis must be an exceptional one. Departments and programs are encouraged to provide by their standards, procedures, and expectations for an Honors Thesis to their candidates, faculty, and outside examiners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each panel member shall have read and evaluated the written thesis, and marked and submitted electronically the Individual Evaluation Form<\/a> as Honors, No Honors, or Honors with reservations. In the final award of Honors or No Honors, the written thesis is weighted at 60 percent; the oral examination is weighted at 40 percent. (This guideline does not hold in the case of performance or other creative theses.)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Setting the Process for the Oral Examination<\/h3>
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