Exceptional Distinction in the Major
The Yale College Faculty has approved this special award on the grounds that there would "occasionally be students whose work in the major is extraordinary, even when compared to the work of other students who receive Distinction." It was assumed that "many departments, even the larger ones, might go for years without making such a nomination." A candidate nominated by a department or program for the award of Exceptional Distinction in the Major must show a genuine breadth of scholarship in the field and have made significant original contributions to it. A student's qualifications for Exceptional Distinction in the Major should be nearly self-evident. Any doubt or reservation on the part of a DUS probably indicates that no nomination is in order.
A DUS who believes that the department has a candidate for Exceptional Distinction in the Major will need to begin fairly early in April to collect the materials necessary for the nomination. They include: (1) a letter on behalf of the department from the DUS or the chair, setting forth fully the student's qualifications; (2) supporting letters from at least two other members of the faculty; and (3) some examples of the student's work, including the senior project. So that outstanding students will not be penalized by the crowded calendar or by the slowness of a faculty member to respond to the initiative of a DUS, the committee will be prepared to consider nominations after the deadline, even though the award may be delayed until after Commencement. It is important for the DUS to pay special attention to this award, because neither student nor faculty member is likely to take the initiative, without which a deserving student may easily be overlooked. More detailed information about this award is mailed to you in April, along with instructions for Distinction in the Major.
