The UMass Lowell Honors College Symposium is a non-credit, non-graded, optional way for Honors College students to satisfy H4, H5, or H6 honors course requirements. The symposium consists of three units throughout the semester, one per month. The Symposium requires approximately 8-10 hours of engagement. The Honors College Symposium is classified as an Honors Experiential Learning Opportunity (HELO).

Note: if you waived H1 and H2, you cannot use a HELO to cover a Commonwealth Honors requirement. You must have 18 credits of honors coursework to graduate with Commonwealth Honors.

Submit the Honors Symposium Registration Form before the end of Add/Drop to register for the Honors Symposium. You will then be added to the Honors Symposium Canvas and the Honors Symposium track course.

Honors Symposium Spring 2027: Food and Sustainability

The Honors Symposium, Food and Sustainability, encourages us to explore food systems and community engagement. Learn about Lowell through food stories. Discover how food can be used as a powerful tool for positive change, sustainability and social good, providing connection and belonging.

Food and sustainability in Lowell, Massachusetts, is a blend of culinary exploration, community building, cultural appreciation, social impact, entrepreneurship and storytelling that connects people, celebrates diversity, and drives positive change.

Principal Requirements

Attend three discussion sessions, 4-6 p.m. at the Allen House on South Campus and the Rist Urban Agriculture Greenhouse and Farm.

  • Dates (coming soon)

Honors Symposium Spring 2027: Arts in Lowell

With institutions including the Merrimack Repertory Theatre, the Brush Art Gallery & Studios, Western Avenue Studios, the Whistler House Museum of Art, Middlesex Community College, and UMass Lowell, Lowell has a creative, diverse arts scene connected to its history. From galleries and artist studios in history mill buildings to live music, theatre, public art, and community festivals, the arts bring people together across the city.

Principal Requirements

Attend three discussion sessions, 4-6 p.m. at the Allen House on South Campus.

  • Dates (coming soon)

Each symposium requires the student to execute a persuasive audio commentary* or poster.

Questions or to sign up, contact by email: Rae_Mansfield@uml.edu.

Responsibilities of the Honors Students

Each student must:

  1. Sign up for the Symposium by completing and submitting the Honors Symposium Registration Form before the end of Add/Drop.
  2. Read articles about all speakers. We want the speaker sessions to be a discussion, so having this background knowledge will help you be able to participate in the discussion and gain a better understanding of the topic.
  3. Attend, be on time, be fully prepared, and be fully engaged in all symposium discussion sessions.
  4. Write and record a final *Audio Commentary. Please create an audio file, Title your commentary (a title that gets at what your main argument is) and submit it through the course on the Canvas shell. The Audio Commentary assignment is due by the final day of classes.

Note: you may also create a one-slide poster of your main argument. If you create a poster submit it through Canvas.

*The Audio Commentary is an opportunity for you to share what you thought and make an argument about one (or more) of the topics discussed during the Symposium. Based on everything you have read and heard, what is your most important takeaway? You heard the speakers make their arguments, now it is your turn to make yours. Think about how you might persuade others - make your case. This is your time to reflect on the last three months and discuss them.

  • Your Audio Commentary or Poster is due by the last regular class meeting day of semester.
  • Please name the file: FIRSTname_LASTname_SymposiumSemesteryear (Example: Sally_Smith_SymposiumSpring2024).

You will receive a Satisfactory(S) or Unsatisfactory (U) for the course, which will show up on your transcript.

Note: Failure to fulfill all the above requirements on time will result in the student receiving an Unsatisfactory (U) grade for the Symposium and thereby not receiving credit for the H4, H5 or H6 honors requirement.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email: Rae_Mansfield@uml.edu.