Longwood
University
Chief Academic Affairs Officer: Academic Affairs
201 High Street, Lancaster 262, Farmville, VA 23909
Phone: 434.395.2010
Fax: 434.395.2506
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Longwood
University |
Policy
2108
HONORARY
DEGREE
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish the authority for the institution to grant honorary degrees and under which circumstances an honorary degree may be granted.
II. DEFINITION
Honorary degrees are degrees awarded in order to:
III.
POLICY
Candidates for honorary degrees must have the qualities and records of
achievement that would make their identification with Longwood and the
recognition of the degree especially appropriate. The conferring of an honorary
degree should bring honor to the institution, as it will honor the recipient. Consideration shall be given to qualified candidates without
regard to race, color, sex, creed, or national origin.
A. Excluded Groups: In the selection of candidates for an honorary degree, there are certain groups, which should be excluded from consideration except for extraordinary circumstances. These groups would include the employees of the University, members of
the Board of Visitors (BOV), emeriti faculty, and former employees. Further, benefactors and potential benefactors should be excluded unless they clearly meet the essential criteria, and there should be no suggestion that an honorary degree is being awarded to an individual because of past or possible financial contribution to the University.
IV. PROCEDURE
A. Authority: The BOV confers the honorary degree. The BOV will solicit the recommendations of the Academic Affairs Sub-committee on Honorary Degrees, but nothing in the policy or procedures will place restraints on the BOV's right to determine degrees.B. Board of Visitors, Academic Affairs Sub-Committee: There will be a BOV Academic Affairs Sub-committee on Honorary Degrees comprised of two (2) members of the faculty, three (3) members of the Board of Visitors, and the Provost and Chief Academic Affairs Officer (ex-officio).
1. The faculty members of the sub-committee will be selected by the Faculty Senate and their names submitted to the President by June of each year. The BOV members of the subcommittee will by appointed by the Rector, and the Rector will designate the chair.
2. The sub-committee will publicize the criteria and guidelines for making
nominations. Nominations will be invited from all constituencies at the University including faculty, staff, students, the BOV, Alumni Association, Foundation Board, and other advisory boards. Nomination guidelines will be available to Longwood constituencies by September 1 of each year.3. The sub-committee will deliberate and will submit to the President and BOV its recommended honorary degree recipients by November 15. The President is responsible for determining the appropriate degree for each
individual recommended. At their December meeting, the BOV will determine honorary degree recipients for the upcoming year. The BOV will award honorary degrees only on ceremonial occasions such as Commencement.C. Notification: The President will contact approved recipients concerning acceptance and conferral of the honorary degree.
D. Security of Information: All nominations and suggestions must be maintained as confidential information. Direct or indirect inquiries about potential candidates should never be made except under specific direction of the BOV or the President.
E. Recipient's Pledge: One condition of awarding the degree is a pledge from the recipient to accept and to be present for the ceremony. Honorary degrees are not give in absentia. Obviously, news of the selection must not precede the formal invitation by the President, and it is important that all news releases be handed in a way, and in due time, for maximum attention.
Approved by the Board of Visitors December 18, 1996.
Revised and approved by the Board of Visitors, September 7, 2002.