SRU updates its Latin honors requirements for 2021 spring graduates

Effective for spring 2021 graduates, the criteria for Latin honors of cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude at Slippery Rock University have been updated to include students who take a minimum of 45 credits at SRU.

May 19, 2021

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Slippery Rock University has adjusted its criteria for graduates who are recognized with the Latin honors of cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude. Prior to spring 2021 semester, graduates needed to take 60 credits at SRU and achieve at least a 3.5 GPA, but beginning with this year's graduates, the minimum has been reduced to 45 credits. The GPA requirements for each honors level will remain the same.

"This change reflects the University's greater emphasis on transfer students and properly recognizing their academic achievements," said Abbey Zink, provost and vice president for academic affairs. "Several students were meeting the GPA requirements but they had credits that were transferred in from other institutions and therefore were not meeting our previous threshold for Latin honors. We're proud of students' academic achievements and grateful for those who choose to complete their education at The Rock."

SRU's provost council approved the change last month after last reviewing the standards for Latin honors five years ago. Graduates meeting the new standard were notified prior to SRU's May 1 commencement ceremonies.

The following Latin honors are awarded to SRU graduates:

• Cum laude (3.5-3.599 GPA) graduates wear a green honor cord, which were provided by the SGA Bookstore free of charge.
• Magna cum laude (3.6-3.799 GPA) graduates wear a white honor cord, which were provided by the Student Government Association Bookstore free of charge.
• Summa cum laude (3.8-4.0 GPA) graduates wear a University medallion on green ribbon, which is provided by the SRU Alumni Association.

Honors designations of cum laude, magna cum and summa cum laude are not placed on students' transcripts until their final semester grades are received and a final GPA is computed.

More information about commencement cords, medallions and ribbons are available on the SRU Commencement webpage. More information about transcripts and academic records is available on the Academic Records webpage.

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 |  justin.zackal@sru.edu