Departmental Distinction statement from the College:
Distinction is a recognition of the academic or artistic excellence of a student’s work in the major or concentration. Distinction is a selective award: normally, no more than ten percent of a department’s or program’s majors or concentrators receive distinction. Distinction recognizes consistent excellence in the major field or concentration: normally, candidates for distinction maintain a GPA in the major or concentration of 3.50 or higher. Distinction recognizes excellence in a particular academic undertaking: normally, the recognition is based in part on student work beyond the minimum requirements for the major or concentration, usually in the form of a distinction project or thesis representing a considerable achievement. Distinction is not generally conferred on the basis of service to departments or programs. Faculty members of the department or program determine specific criteria for distinction. Interested students should contact the appropriate department or program for more information. Not every candidate receives distinction.
https://catalog.stolaf.edu/academic-regulations-procedures/academic-honors/
Purpose of Departmental Distinction in Dance
Recognize academic or artistic excellence in dance
AND
Recognize students that have followed their own path successfully through the dance major in a singular way
Criteria for Departmental Distinction in Dance
Please note that meeting these criteria does not guarantee awarding of distinction; that honor is awarded to students based on careful evaluation by the dance faculty of their distinction application.
Pre-requisites:
- Declared dance major
- In navigating through the dance major, the student has gone over and above the minimum requirements (completion of required coursework, design of an Area of Specialty, completion of a senior project, at least 3 semesters in one of the department dance companies, the attainment of technical proficiency in a primary genre of dance at the 200 level and proficiency in a secondary genre of dance at the 100 level, and the completion of dance production work on one major dance production.)
Application Timeline
Senior Year:
- Students complete an intention to apply for distinction via Google form by Reading Day of the Fall semester their senior year
- The final application for departmental distinction must be completed by the 2nd Friday in April of the Senior Year.
- Distinction candidates will be notified of distinction decisions by the 1st week of May, and the names of all students who have been awarded distinction will be submitted to the registrar. Indication of distinction appears in the commencement program and on the academic transcript.
No exceptions on these deadlines.
The Application Process for Distinction
- Complete the Intention to Apply Google Form by Reading Day of the Fall semester of the Senior Year.
- The final application for departmental distinction must be shared by the 2nd Friday in April of the Senior Year. This application will include the following:
-Reflection on how the student has moved through the dance major, pointing out the singular nature of their journey and any challenges faced.
For the written application, students will email all dance faculty by the 2nd Friday in April. For the oral defense option students will meet with the faculty on the 2nd Friday in April at 3:45pm.
- Distinction candidates will be notified of distinction decisions by the 1st week of May, and the names of all students who have been awarded distinction will be submitted to the registrar. Indication of distinction appears in the commencement program and on the academic transcript.Dance Faculty will also provide a short one paragraph narrative of why the student’s journey has been distinct and highlight any major things the student has done.
Application Options
Students can choose to apply for Departmental Distinction in Dance through either a written application or Oral Defense.
The Written application must include the following:
-The students name
-Reflection on how the student has moved through the dance major, pointing out the singular nature of their journey and any challenges faced.
-The student may need to provide written answers to follow up questions that the faculty poses after reading the original written application.
The Oral Defense option will be in front of the dance faculty at 3:45pm on the 2nd Friday in April in which the student explains how they have moved through the dance major, pointing out the singular nature of their journey and any challenges faced and answers faculty questions. This oral defense will be recorded. There may be follow up questions asked during the meeting.