Welcome...

...to Shawnee State University’s Summer Honors Institute! Funded by the Ohio Department of Education, our Institute is designed to stimulate and challenge academically gifted students like yourself. Under the guidance of Shawnee State University professors, in the classroom, laboratory, and in the field, you will expand your thinking and learning abilities and grow your intellect. After class, with the help of our residential staff, you will make new friends and create life-long memories. It all adds up to an experience that you don’t want to miss.

Your Program Choices

The Shawnee State University Summer Honors Institute offers ten, one-week long courses, and one two-week long course. Choose your favorite and pick an alternative. Most students attend only one session per summer, but you are encouraged to apply for and attend more than one if you so desire. Remember; it is only possible to attend one course per week. Here’s what is offered this year:

Ten reasons for attending the SSU Summer Honors Institute:

Eligibility

To qualify, you must be an Ohio resident and a rising tenth or eleventh grade student in the coming academic year, 2008-2009 (currently you are a ninth or tenth grader). You must provide appropriate documentation of giftedness (according to Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-15).  Your guidance counselor has this information. Submit a completed application packet (see below for more information).

If you are home schooled, attend a private school, or otherwise have not been identified as gifted but have reason to believe you could be officially identified, you may submit appropriate supporting documentation and your application will be reviewed by a gifted consultant.  Feel free to contact Ginnie Moore if you have questions about gifted identification and eligibility.

Fees

The Institute's academic program and a daily lunch is free to any eligible and accepted student.  So, if you are a commuting student, you may attend at no charge.  Commuters have the option of taking part in the evening activities for a minimal fee of $70.  If you plan to reside on campus the fee is $242 per person for 1-week programs or $581 for the 2-week program (includes a weekend stay).  This cost covers housing, meals, supervision, and most activities and includes a $100 nonrefundable deposit due on May 9, 2008.

Commuter - Plus

Summer Honors Institute students who live in the Shawnee State University area will commute to and from the Institute each day.  The Institute is free of charge to all community students.

Commuting students have the option of registering as "commuter plus".  This option allows you to participate in all evening activities, including the on-campus activities and outings to the restaurants, movies, and Tecumseh.  All activities will be supervised by Institute staff.  Commuter plus students will sign-in at the beginning of the evening activities and will be picked up at the conclusion of the evening activities by their parent.

Commuter plus students are required to pay a fee of $70.  A $20 deposit is due May 9, 2008.  The balance of $50 is due June 13, 2008.

Financial Assistance:  There are two partial ($50) scholarships available for commuter plus students.  Financial assistance is based upon need.

How to Apply

Complete the Student Application Form (PDF) and Student Eligibility Confirmation Form (PDF). If you are applying for Game Programming & Simulation, complete the  essay questions. These forms must be completed and submitted (or postmarked) to the address below no later than April 11, 2008.  Fax transmittals will be accepted until April 13.  Applications postmarked or faxed after the deadline will be considered only if space is available in desired courses or until the maximum number of students have been met for our Institute. 

Submit the complete application to:

Summer Honors Institute for Gifted Students

ATTN:  Ginnie Moore

University Outreach Services

Shawnee State University

940 Second Street

Portsmouth, OH  45662

Contact Information:

Phone:  740-351-3274

Toll-free:  1-866-672-8778

Fax:  740-351-3598

Email:  Ginnie Moore

Student Selection and Admittance Information

Provided all of the required components of the application are submitted and complete, eligible students will be admitted to the requested courses on a first-applied, first-admitted basis.  Game Programming & Simulation students will also complete essay questions as part of the application.  As the deadline approaches and multiple applications are received simultaneously, other means are used to select students for admittance such as space available in desired courses, grade level of student, previous attendance at Shawnee’s Summer Honors Institute, etc.  We do not use student GPA’s, test scores, level/type of giftedness, – we consider each student equal in terms of academic ability or giftedness.  In order to be given priority for admittance, students should apply as early as possible students should make sure their application is complete.

Official notification of admittance is sent to all students after the application deadline or by April 25, 2008.  Although we annually receive many more applications from students than can be served, it is possible that a class will be canceled due to lack of interest or an unforeseen emergency.  Therefore, we do not officially notify students until all applications have been processed.  If you are concerned about the status of your application, you may contact Ginnie Moore at any time.  

Student Commitment to Attend

An important part of the application process is your response to the official notification of admittance to the program.  You and your parent or guardian will need to sign and return the Student Commitment to Attend Form by May 9, 2008.  The $100 non-refundable deposit (or the completed Financial Assistance form) is also due on this date. If you complete and return this form by the due date, a space will be held for you in this Summer Honors Institute.  Because space is limited in Summer Honors Institutes, do not indicate your commitment to attend the Summer Honors Institute unless you are certain you will attend.  If you commit to attend and do not attend the Summer Honors Institute, the space reserved for you will go unfilled and another gifted student who would have attended may be needlessly denied an opportunity to participate.  Therefore, as a courtesy to the Summer Honors Institute and other students, please consider your plans carefully before returning this form. 

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance to help with residential costs is available and based upon need.  Apply for financial assistance by completing the Residential Financial Aid Assistance Form and return it by May 9, 2008 along with the Student Commitment to Attend form.  If you are applying for financial assistance, and can show evidence of need, you do not need to submit the $100 deposit at this time.  Students will be notified of financial assistance awards by May 29, 2008. If financial assistance is awarded, your residential costs for the one-week program will be reduced by $192.00 (you will owe $50.00).   Commuter plus students will be reduced by $50 (you will owe $20).  Residential costs for the two-week program will be reduced by $481.00 (you will owe $100.00).  The balance of fees is due by June 13, 2008. If you are not awarded financial assistance, the full amount will be due by June 13, 2008.  The cost of the one-week program is $242.00.  The cost of the two-week program is $581.00.

Five partial scholarships of $192.00 each are available for the one-week programs.  Two partial scholarships of $481.00 each are available for the two-week program. Two partial scholarships of $50 each are available for commuter plus students.

Other Important Information for all Students

If you will be residing in student housing for the week, plan to arrive on campus between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon. If you plan to commute to campus each day you will need to attend the Sunday evening dinner meeting, so plan to report to the residential hall area of campus at 5 p.m. Sunday.  The week ends Friday with closing ceremonies at noon.     

Housing and Meals

You will reside in Campus Housing located adjacent to campus.  All units are air-conditioned and offer 2-4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a full kitchen, and a large furnished living/dining area.  Each unit provides desks and beds for 4-8 residents, cable television service (TV not included), telephone service, and computer network access.  ADA compliant facilities are available.  Residential Advisors are employed to provide supervision and help ensure security of all students during the evening hours. 

As a residential student, you are provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner during your stay on campus.  Breakfast and lunch are served in the campus “Bears’ Den” cafeteria, which is set up as an all-you-can-eat buffet.  Dinner is provided during evening activities and varies according to the activity planned for the evening. 

Leisure and Recreation

During the day your class-time schedule will be rigorous with little free time. In the evenings, activities are planned to help you relax and socialize with other Summer Honors students.  During lunch and designated free time and during the lunch hour, you may wish to visit the Internet Café or student lounge areas located in the University Center.  You will also have access to the Clark Memorial Library, where Jasmine’s coffee shop operates, and to the Rhodes Sports Center where you can use the weight room, cardiovascular room and the pool.

Evening Activities

Each evening, we will have an excursion or other activity planned for your enjoyment.  Attendance at these activities are required by all residential students and commuter-plus students. In most instances, these activities are funded through the grant and your residential fees.  Examples of activities include trips to the movie theatre, hiking at Shawnee State Park, mixer activities on campus, etc.  More detailed information will be provided after acceptance and prior to arriving on campus. 

Important Dates:

General Program Schedule:

1 Week Program Schedule (PDF)

2 Week Program Schedule (PDF)

Area Attractions:

Portsmouth Scioto Convention and Visitors Bureau