Student Services

Human Ecology encourages high academic achievement and recognizes outstanding students in the ways outlined below. For more information, visit the Student and Career Development Office in 172 MVR or call (607) 255-2532.

• Bachelor of Science with Distinction targets students in the top 10% of their graduating class based on last 60 credits earned at Cornell. The graduating class includes students who will complete requirements for Bachelor of Science in January or May of the same academic year or the prior August.
• Bachelor of Science with Honors recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement in an academic field. Programs leading to a degree with honors are found at the college level, in the Department of Human Development, and in the Division of Nutritional Sciences.
• The College of Human Ecology Dean’s List targets students with a 3.7 GPA in a given semester consisting of 12 credits of letter-graded work.
• Golden Key targets the top 15 % of Cornell University juniors and seniors with a GPA of approximately 3.75. One-time membership fee of $70.
• Kappa Omicron Nu targets the top 20% of Human Ecology juniors and seniors with 3.7 GPAs, and the top 15% of second-semester Human Ecology sophomores with 3.76 GPA. One-time membership fee of $60.
• Mortar Board requires junior year good standing. National organization requires a B average or upper 35% of juniors--whichever is the bigger group. B average (3.0) equals 79 % of Human Ecology juniors. Membership fee is $60. Cornell chapter requires a recommendation.
• Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society targets top 35% of class in general scholarship, after at least 3 semesters of study with at least 9 credits of psychology (or Human Development) with B average in psychology and other grades. National charges a $45 one-time registration fee.

An awards ceremony every spring acknowledges and honors exceptional achievement. In addition to the Outstanding Seniors awards, the following three prizes are awarded by faculty committees and are coordinated through the Office of Admissions, Student, and Career Development. Call (607) 255-2532. 

• The Elsie Van Buren Rice Award in Oral Communication is awarded for original oral communication projects related to the college's mission by undergraduate students in the College of Human Ecology. The contest is held each Spring and awards prizes totaling $1,500. 
• The Flora Rose Prize is given biennially to a Cornell junior or senior who, in the words of the donor, "shall demonstrate the greatest promise for contributing to the growth and self-fulfillment of future generations." The recipient receives a cash prize of $500. 
• The Florence Halpern Award is named for the noted psychologist Dr. Florence Halpern, in recognition of her lifelong interest in "innovative human service, which betters the quality of life." In that spirit the award is presented to an undergraduate in the College of Human Ecology who has demonstrated, through supervised field work or community service, creativity in the search for solutions to human problems. The award carries a $500 cash prize.