Honorary Degree 9.01
Effective Date: 07/01/91; Revised 12/12/08
Subject: Honorary Degree
Category: Miscellaneous 9.01
1. Purpose
The honorary degree is the highest academic honor bestowed by the Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees. The degree is awarded during a commencement ceremony at the discretion of the board in recognition of extraordinary achievement. The honorary degree is not equivalent to or a replacement for an earned degree.
2. Honorary Degree Policy
An honorary degree is awarded to persons who serve as models worthy of emulation and respect. Nominees must have achieved the highest levels of excellence as scholars, artists, professionals, philanthropists, or public servants, and must have demonstrated personal integrity and concern for the public good.
Except in extraordinary circumstances, no more than four honorary degrees will be awarded in any academic year.
3. Types of Honorary Degrees
Honorary Doctorate degrees may be awarded in the following fields:
- Doctor of Humane Letters
- Doctor of Literature
- Doctor of Public Service
- Doctor of Science
- Doctor of Music
- Doctor of Fine Arts
- Doctor of Laws
Honorary Associate degrees may be awarded in fields taught at the institution at which the honorary degree is awarded.
4. Process
A. Each institution within the Arkansas State University System shall establish an Honorary Degree Committee.
B. The Honorary Degree Committee shall entertain nominations for an honorary degree.Nominations must contain supporting materials establishing the eligibility of the nominee. The committee shall make any recommendation for the award of an honorary degree to the chancellor.
C. The chancellor shall review the recommendation, including all supporting materials, and if he or she concurs, shall submit the nomination to the president of the Arkansas State University System.
D. The president shall review the nomination packet and, if he or she concurs, shall submit the nomination to the Board of Trustees. In order that the board may have sufficient time to review the supporting materials, all nominations must be submitted to the Board of Trustees a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the board meeting immediately preceding the commencement exercise at which the honorary degree will be awarded.
E. The Board of Trustees shall make the decision whether to award the honorary degree.The Board of Trustees shall have the right to award honorary degrees on its own nomination.
(Adopted by the Arkansas State University Board of Trustees on December 12, 2008, Resolution 08-81.)