“Just because you are not doing what your concentration says is an honors track, it does not mean that you are not doing intellectually challenging work,” Ewert said.
But several Faculty members said they support a modification of the current system so that students do not feel that a diploma needs an honors distinction to accompany it.
“Students have to learn that a Harvard degree in itself is worth something in itself,” Lewis said.
Members of the committee also endorsed a move towards stricter requirements for Advanced Standing eligibility, starting with the Class of 2007.
Presented by Lewis and Rory A. Browne, associate dean of freshman and director of Advanced Standing, that proposal will go to a Faculty vote next month.
—Staff writer Jessica E. Vascellaro can be reached at vascell@fas.harvard.edu.