Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Engagement Area Specific QuestionsGeneral QuestionsWhat are the benefits of the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society?
Is this a certificate or scholarship program?The Garnet and Gold Scholar Society is not a certificate program and does not provide any financial scholarships. Individual scholarship opportunities may be offered for specific Engagement Area experiences. Please contact each area individually. Can graduate students participate?At this point the program is solely developed to recognized undergraduate students for their engagement efforts at Florida State University. However the Graduate School has developed professional development programs to recognize you for your efforts as a graduate student with the Preparing Future Faculty and Preparing Future Professionals Programs. If you have any additional questions about these programs please contact the Graduate School. Can transfer students participate?Yes, undergraduate transfer students may participate in this program as long as they meet the specified criteria outlined in the program overview. What is the Induction Ceremony?Each semester students who are graduating celebrate their accomplishments with the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society when they are invited to the Induction Ceremony the last week of classes. President Eric and Molly Barron host the ceremony and reception each year as students are awarded their medal and staff and faculty celebrate their accomplishments.
Overall RequirementsWhat requirements (outside of the Engagement Area criteria and synthesis) must be satisfied in order for a student to be recognized as a Garnet and Gold Scholar?Prior to beginning your synthesis project, you must hold a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA for all college coursework and receive judicial clearance from Student Rights and Responsibilities with no academic honor code violations. Do I have a chance to bring up my GPA or clear any honor code violations?Your cumulative GPA cannot be brought up if you are in your last semester at Florida State University. If you do have a student conduct record, you must complete all required Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities sanctions to continue with the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society program. You must not have any record of an Academic Honor Policy Hearing. What happens if I miss a deadline?All deadlines must be strictly followed during your senior year in order to successfully complete the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society. Any missed deadline may be appealed for an extension by completing the appeal form.
Intent to ParticipateWhat should be included in my Intent to Participate?You will need to choose which three areas you would like to participate in. Within each area, you will also need to state how you will meet the Engagement Area criteria. Be as specific as possible, especially for activities that you have already completed. Include specific names of activities, programs and courses and the semesters these will be completed. What is the earliest and latest I can submit an Intent to Participate form?You may submit your Intent to Participate as early as the first semester at Florida State University but must submit no later than the 5th week of classes in the semester before your final semester. Please visit the Intent to Participate info page for this semester’s deadlines. How do I change my Intent to Participate?If you no longer wish to participate in a particular Engagement Area, you can go to the Student Portal, click on the greyed out tab of the area you wish to change and fill out the change form. Explain why you would like to change and describe your new proposed plan of engagement. Your plan should explain how you will meet the criteria for the new area. Note: A change form is not needed if only the details of your Engagement Area are changing. If, for example, you are changing internships or changing how you plan to complete your service, you will not need to complete a change form of your Intent to Participate. Can I select an overall advisor who is not listed on the Intent to Participate form?Yes, one can select an overall advisor by emailing garnetandgoldprogram@admin.fsu.edu the faculty or staff’s information. The faculty or staff selected must be willing to advise you through the entire Scholar Society experience. My Intent to Participate was approved. Does that guarantee I will be inducted into the program?No, Students are responsible for meeting criteria in their respective Engagement Areas. Some Engagement Areas have separate deadlines that you must meet as well. Students are not inducted in the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society until they complete all criteria and successfully complete the area reflections and synthesis.
Completing Engagement area requirementsDo the three Engagement Areas need to be completed during one semester?No, you have the entirety of your undergraduate experience to complete each Engagement Area. However, as a participant, you need to ensure that you meet each Engagement Area’s deadlines as some have semester specific dates you must meet. Can I use the same experience for two Engagement Areas?You will be allowed to use the same experience (i.e., an international internship) to qualify for no more than two Engagement Areas. If you elect to use the same experience for two areas, you are still responsible for all requirements for each of the two areas that the experience covers, and you will reflect on each separately. How are my Engagement Area reflection and synthesis reflection evaluated?Each Engagement Area and Synthesis Project has a rubric that is posted on each areas’ respective webpage. Area approvers evaluate area reflections, and Overall Program Advisors evaluate the synthesis project. Reflections should include your best writing efforts and demonstrate senior level writing. All writing should also be clear, concise and free of grammatical mistakes. What if my first area reflection submission is rejected?If your reflection is not approved, you have one week to revise and resubmit. You only have one chance to revise. If your reflection is rejected a second time, you must submit a formal appeal. What happens if I do not satisfy an Engagement Area requirement?You may choose to participate in a different Engagement Area by resubmitting part of your Intent to Participate form indicating your new area of interest. If this occurs, click on the tab for the area in which you want to participate and fill out the change form. If a student feels they completed the Engagement Area but their reflection submission is rejected twice, a student may complete the appeal process. What happens to work that I have completed in an Engagement Area that I deactivate?The work that you have completed will be saved in the system.
Synthesis ProjectWhat is the deadline for having my synthesis paper approved by in order to have the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society appear on my transcript?Each semester, the synthesis reflection must be submitted online for review by the posted dates on the homepage. This deadline only applies for the semester in which you are working to receive the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society recognition. More information about the synthesis project can be found here I have submitted all three Engagement Areas, but am still waiting on approval from my advisor. Why is my synthesis tab not available?The synthesis tab will become available when:
What if my overall advisor leaves Florida State University prior to my completion of the program?If your Overall Programing Advisor can no longer function as your advisor, you will be assigned a new the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society advisor. If you would like to request a particular advisor, email garnetandgoldprogram@admin.fsu.edu.
Engagement Area Specific QuestionsLeadershipWhat should I put on my Intent to Participate for the Leadership Engagement Area?You should indicate what two leadership learning activities (development, education, and/or engagement) you plan to complete, and how you meet the specific criteria for each activity. How do I receive approval for a Leadership Development Program?Programs must be reviewed by the Center for Leadership and Social Change. Please submit programs that are a minimum of 50 hours, FSU structured, and facilitated by a mentor or coach. The review period for a submitted leadership development program is two weeks. Where can I find a list of Leadership Development Programs that have already been approved?You can find a current list of previously approved Leadership Development Programs at this website. How do I receive approval for a Leadership Course?Courses must be reviewed by the Center for Leadership and Social Change. Please submit courses that are three-credit hours and designed to teach leadership theory and leadership issues in their professional or creative contexts. The review period for a submitted leadership course is two weeks. Note: You must receive a C- or higher in the course in order for it to fulfill the Leadership Education portion. Where can I find a list of Leadership Courses that have already been approved?You can find a current list of previously approved Leadership Courses at this website. I sent in my Leadership Development Program or Leadership Course a few days ago. Why haven’t I heard back yet?Please allow a minimum of two weeks for the approval of a Leadership Development Program and/or a Leadership Course. Please send questions about this to ggleadershipandservice@admin.fsu.edu. Can I use the same experience for more than one leadership learning activity (i.e. development, education, engagement)?No. You must complete 2 of the 3 learning activities with separate experiences.
InternshipWhat are the steps for using my internship for Garnet and Gold Scholar Society recognition?Once your Intent to Participate is approved and your internship is completed, you will need to submit your Internship Engagement Area for review through the Garnet and Gold portal on Blackboard. For Career Internship Certification Program (CICP) interns, you will have to mark that you are completing the Career Internship Certification Program and submit. For Academic Credit Interns, you will need to upload the internship course, complete the essay prompts, and then submit. What should I put on my Intent to Participate for the Internship Engagement Area? You should indicate whether you have already interned or if you plan to in the future. For a future internship, indicate which semester you plan to intern. State whether it will be for academic credit or if you will complete the Career Internship Certification Program. Do I have to fill out the reflection essays on the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society website if I pursue the Career Internship Certification Program option?No. Your reflection process for the Career Internship Certification Program is completed through the required forms and supervisor evaluation. You will not need to submit the reflection prompts through the Garnet and Gold portal on Blackboard. However, you need to indicate in the portal that you are completing the CICP and submit it. Can I use an internship through the University Recognition Program for Garnet and Gold Scholar Society?Yes. The internship is or will be recorded on your transcript as a non-credit course e.g., ACG3949, ENG3949, CIS3949, etc. You will select the academic internship option in the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society online portal and indicate the appropriate course. Be sure to upload your course in the portal when submitting. What are the deadlines for completing the Career Internship Certification Program?Deadlines for the reports are based on when you complete the internship. Specific deadlines for each semester are listed on the Career Internship Certification Program webpage. If you have already completed the internship, then all reports are due as soon as possible and no later than two weeks from the end of the semester to provide time for the Career Center to contact your Supervisor. The Supervisor Evaluation must be turned in by the last day of the semester. If you are completing the Career Internship Certification Program in the same semester that you are interning, the Student Placement Report is the first report required to initiate the process. Once approved, the Learning Objectives and Follow-Up Report are due two weeks after the start of the program. The Final Student Performance/Reflection Report is due the last day of classes of the semester that you are interning. Your supervisor must return your evaluation by the last day of classes of the same semester. Remember this report will be e-mailed by the Career Center, but you are responsible for ensuring that they complete and return it by the due date.
ServiceWhat should I put on my Intent to Participate for the Service Engagement Area?You should include a brief overview of service you plan to document on ServScript and/or service that is already documented on your ServScript. You should also provide us with a timeline for completing the 200 required hours. I’ve recorded my service hours personally and have letters from my supervisors stating that I have done the service; can those count towards my 200 hours?For the purposes of this society, your hours must be recorded and approved through the ServScript Program by the last day of classes of the semester they are completed . All questions about the ServScript program can be directed to the Center for Leadership and Social Change at servscript@admin.fsu.edu. How can I check how many hours I have recorded through the ServScript Program?You can check how many hours you have recorded through the ServScript Program by going to Blackboard, selecting Secure Apps, and then My Service Hours. From that page you will be able to view your Service Transcript which will show the hours you have recorded through the ServScript Program through the current semester. I don’t see my service hours on my Service Transcript. What do I need to do?If you do not see the service hours you have recorded through the ServScript Program on your service transcript, please contact the Center for Leadership and Social Change at servscript@admin.fsu.edu, and they will be able to further assist you. I missed the deadline! I didn’t know about the ServScript program. Can I still have hours from previous semesters recorded on my transcript?No. Academic transcripts are permanent records and therefore cannot be changed. We encourage you to contact the Center for Leadership and Social Change at servscript@admin.fsu.edu, so they can provide you with alternative options for recognition or appeal. Can community service accomplished in another country count toward Service and International?Yes, provided that your international experience meets the requirements of the International Engagement area and your service meets the requirements of the Service Engagement area. You are allowed to use the same experience to qualify for no more than two Engagement Areas. If you elect to use the same experience for two areas, you are responsible for all requirements for each of the two areas.
For more FAQ’s on ServScript, visit this link.
InternationalWhat should I put on my Intent to Participate for the International Engagement Area?You should include where and when you plan to complete your International Sustained Experience. Additionally, please let us know if you plan to complete the Global Pathways option or take an approved course. How do I receive approval for the International Sustained Experience?Any FSU sponsored program where students participate in an intercultural experience abroad that is at least one week in length should meet the International Sustained Experience. For programs that are not coordinated by FSU departments, the International Engagement Area must approve activities. You may contact them at IP-info@fsu.edu. I haven't taken INR3931/3932, what should I do?If you have already completed your international experience abroad, it is highly recommended that you enroll in INR3931/INR3932 Applying your Global Experience. If you feel that you have completed an intercultural communication course that meets the criteria outlined here, please submit a copy of the course syllabus to IP-info@fsu.edu. How do I receive approval for an International Course?Courses other than INR 3931/3932 must be approved by the International Engagement Area. Courses that meet the intercultural communication course criteria found here, may be reviewed for approval by submitting a copy of the course syllabus to IP-info@fsu.edu. The review period for a submitted intercultural communication course is two weeks. Are my Global Pathways synthesis and my Garnet and Gold Scholar Society Synthesis the same essay?No, you will submit a synthesis project about your experiences with the Global Pathways Certificate according to their deadline. Your Garnet and Gold Scholar Society synthesis will bring together your experiences from all three of your Engagement Area experiences. More information can be found here.
For more FAQ’s about the Global Pathways Certificate, visit this link.
ResearchWhat should I put on my Intent to participate for the Research Engagement Area?You should include what area of research you plan to focus your efforts as well as your major professor, culminating project, and/or timeframe. Do I have to be a science major to do research?FSU encourages research in all majors. Research is not limited to the sciences and laboratory work; it includes creative endeavors in the arts; such as a film or theater performance. Refer to the Office of Undergraduate Research for more information. How long do I have to do research to qualify for Garnet and Gold Scholars Society?The research or creative project must last a minimum of one semester (including summer). Do I have to get academic credit for the research project?No, you do not have to receive academic credit for the research. However, many students do receive academic credit through Directed Individual Study (DIS), Honors in the Major credit, or through a research-focused course. Can I get compensated for research?Although students often volunteer for research projects, students may receive work-study funds if they are eligible or receive funding from a professor or other program. Please contact the Office Undergraduate Research or the Office of National Fellowship for funding opportunities. How can I get started with research?If you are first year student, then you may apply to the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program . Otherwise, review the Office of Undergraduate Research site for more information on how to get started. What is a culminating project?Your research or creative project should culminate in a presentation, publication, exhibition, or performance. A central part of research is sharing your work, so a culminating project should not simply be a paper that you turned in to your professor. The project should be shared in some kind of public forum, such as FSU’s Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium or The OWL, FSU’s Undergraduate Research Journal. Departmental events and Honors Theses Defenses count as a culminating project. Please contact our@fsu.edu with any questions about the eligibility of culminating projects.
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