(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.
