3364-72-04. Honorary degrees

(A) Policy statement

The awarding of honorary degrees is an extension of the university's goal of recognizing exceptional achievements. The awarding of an honorary degree is among the highest honors the university confers, and brings distinction to both the recipient and the university.

Honorary degrees should be awarded only for extraordinary accomplishments and contributions that are aligned with the mission of the institution. Examples of individuals who would meet the criteria for receiving an honorary degree from the university of Toledo include:

(1) Members of the academic community only when it can be demonstrated that the recipient has made contributions far and beyond the expected high standards of the profession.

(2) Individuals in the non-academic world, including alumni, only after it is demonstrated that the person has made a contribution that adds a significant new dimension to society's well-being. Fame in the absence of a significant contribution to society is not considered a sufficient criterion for the distinction of an honorary degree.

It is expected that a reasonable balance will develop between academic and non-academic recipients and among various fields of endeavor.

Honorary degree recipients may include qualified persons who have served the university in the past. An honorary degree will not be conferred during full-time service at the university of Toledo.

(B) Purpose of policy

The purpose of the policy is to define the general criteria and to provide a process for nominating candidates for honorary degrees.

(C) Scope

This policy applies to the university academic honors committee and to all individuals who are considering nomination of a candidate for an honorary degree.

(D) Procedures and guidelines for committee action

(1) Nomination of candidates for honorary degrees may be submitted to the university academic honors committee through the university's administrative channels or directly to the committee. A nomination should include the following:

(a) Letter of nomination from a person(s) who is (are) competent to evaluate the candidates' achievements. Although nomination letters should be written in nontechnical language, they should be analytical and evaluative, indicating the quality, originality, scope and level of attainment of the candidates.

(b) A biographical sketch and/or curriculum vitae that detail the nominee's academic background and professional training, noteworthy activities, appointments, offices, and commendations.

(c) Other documents to substantiate the nominee's accomplishments and contributions. If these documents are technical in nature, e.g., scientific reprints, a brief interpretation should be included.

(2) The nominations described above will be held in confidence by the committee to the extent permitted by law.

(3) The committee will review all nominations for honorary degrees, regardless of the forum at which the degree will be conferred (i.e., spring commencement, fall commencement, individual college commencements or ceremonies, other special university events).

In the event that multiple nominees are deemed worthy of receiving an honorary degree, the committee will rank the candidates and may choose to recommend the number of honorary degrees to be awarded for a given event or year.

(4) The presiding member(s) of the committee are responsible for submitting the names and credentials of the recommended candidates to the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and for maintaining a file of recommended candidates for honorary degrees.

(5) The provost and executive vice president for academic affairs will submit the names and credentials of the recommended candidates to the president.

(6) The president in consultation with the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs will determine the number of candidates to be presented to the board of trustees based on budgetary considerations as well as the importance of preserving the custom of conferring honorary degrees as an elite honor.

(7) The board of trustees gives final approval for all honorary degree candidates.

(8) A nominee approved by the board of trustees must agree to attend the commencement or special event in order to receive the honorary degree.

(9) The honorary degree must be conferred in person by the president or his/her designee.

Effective: 3/15/2019
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 3364
Rule Amplifies: 3364