New Paltz recognizes candidate achievements with a variety of cords, sashes and stoles identifying a candidate’s selection to honor societies representing fields of study, professional and service organizations and campus student organizations. Combined, the “cords of distinction” emphasize the diverse nature of the New Paltz student body and proudly reflect the State University of New York’s motto, “To Learn, To Search, To Serve.”
Alpha Kappa Delta, International Sociology Honors Society
This Honors Society was founded with the purpose of promoting scholarship and fellowship for students. It is open to students with at least a 3.0 GPA. Students wear cords of teal.
Alpha Psi Omega, Kappa Lambda Cast
Students in the National Theatre Honor Society are elected to membership based on academic excellence, service to the theatre arts and an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students wear cords of amber and sky blue.
Chi Alpha Epsilon, Honor Society
The royal blue and white cords recognize members of the National Honor Society for Educational Opportunity Program Students.
Chi Alpha Sigma
National College Athlete Honor Society is an organization, which recognizes student athletes who earn varsity status in at least one sport while maintaing a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA throughout their junior and senior years.
Eta Kappa Nu, KappaS Omicron Chapter
This chapter is the International Honor Society in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Members wear red and blue cords. The top quarter of the Junior Class and the top third of the Senior Class are invited into membership. Candidates are judged worthy by their academic excellence and ability to apply acquired knowledge and ideas.
First World
The colorful kente-cloth stoles indicate participation in The First World ceremony multicultural celebration of graduating candidates.
Honors Program
The Honors Program admits a small number of students who meet the requirement of having a minimum GPA of 3.5. Students must fulfill an extra requirement of seminars, thesis and community service. Students wear a gold sash embroidered with the word “Honors.”
Kappa Delta Pi
Green and Violet cords denote the International Honor Society in Education. Members are elected to membership for high academic achievement and commitment to education. The candidates have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Lambda Pi Eta, Epsilon Chapter
Students in this National Communication Association Undergraduate Society are granter membership based on academic success and service to the field. All students must have a 3.5 GPA. Students wear cords of red and white.
National Resident Hall Honorary
The blue and yellow cords denote achievement in campus leadership as recognized by the National Association of College and University Residence Halls.
Phi Alpha Theta, International History Honor Society
This is open to both undergraduate and graduate students with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and a GPA of at least 3.1 in history. Students wear cords of red and light blue.
Psi Chi, National Honor Society in Psychology
The National Honor Society in Psychology awards the gold satin stole embroidered in blue. Undergraduate and graduate students are elected into the society based on their GPA in psychology and an overall cumulative GPA of 3.40.
Pi Sigma Alpha
Tha National Political Science Honor Society awards the red, white, and black cord. Undergraduates are eligible for membership into this honor society upon completion of specific credit requirements, if they have a GPA in Political Science and an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society in Business, Management and Administration
This is the highest recognition a business student can receive. The green and gold cord is worn by business students who have fulfilled specific credit requirements. Undergraduates must have a cumulative GPA above 3.5 and graduates must have a cumulative GPA above 3.8.
Sigma Theta Tau, International Nurses Honor Society
The purple and white cords of Sigma Theta Tau International Nurses Honor Society recognizes students for high academic achievement. Bachelor’s students are eligible for membership upon specific credit completion and class standing.
Study Abroad
A sash consisting of blue and the flag of their host country designates students who have traveled beyond the borders of New Paltz and the United States to gain knowledge, skills, and confidence as productive members of a global society. Undergraduates and graduate students are required to meet a program specific GPA and spend either a summer, winter intersession, semester or academic year abroad.
SUNY - YÖK Dual Diploma Program
This unique program allows Turkish students to earn diplomas simultaneously from SUNY New Paltz and one of our several partner universities in Turkey. Students work toward degrees in either business or economics over the course of three years spent at both institutions. The red and white cords signify completion of this competitive program and honor the students’ Turkish heritage.