3.18 Honorary Degree Policy and Procedure

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish the rationale for honorary degrees and provide standards and guidelines under which honorary degrees will be conferred at Riverland Community College.

Applicability

An honorary degree is a degree title awarded to recognize and honor exceptional persons who have made exceptional contributions to a specific field or to society in general, rather than as the result of matriculating and earning a degree based on studies at the institution. Honorary degrees serve to establish a public association between Riverland Community College and such exceptional persons, and assist the college with educational programming, service and outreach missions, and institutional advancement.

Riverland Community College may confer honorary degrees consistent with procedures established by, and with the approval of, the chancellor.

Honorary degrees may not be conferred on currently serving faculty or staff members within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, current members of the Board of Trustees, or current holders of elected political office.

Scope

Employees

Does this policy have a procedure?

Yes

General Provisions for Selecting an Honorary Degree Recipient

1. Award Timeline: One honorary degree may be awarded at commencement every odd-numbered graduation year. The college reserves the right not to award an honorary degree if no nominee meets the selection criteria below or for any other limiting factor.
2. Award Designation: Based upon the recipient’s field of contribution, achievement, service, or distinction, the college may award an:
   1. Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts (Hon. D.F.A.)
   2. Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (Hon. L.H.D.)
   3. Honorary Doctor of Laws (Hon. LL.D.)
   4. Honorary Doctor of Literature (Hon. Lit.D.)
   5. Honorary Doctor of Education (Hon. D.Ed.)
   6. Honorary Doctor of Science (Hon. Sc.D.)
3. The awardee may be asked to speak at graduation.
4. Selection Criteria:
   1. Service or benefaction to the college alone does not justify an award of an honorary degree.
   2. To be recognized and honored, candidates must have earned a regional, national, or international reputation for exceptional contributions to a specific field or to society in general.
   3. Nominees will also be considered based on whether they:
      1. Have made a significant contribution to the achievement of the college’s mission; and/or
      2. Have made a significant contribution to the achievement of the college foundation’s mission; and/or
      3. Are community members who have fostered partnerships with the college.
5. Selection Process: Nominations will be solicited in every odd-numbered commencement year. The solicitation will be via email by the President’s Office between December 1 and February 15 for the odd-numbered commencement year.
   1. The Graduation Committee and Faculty Shared Governance Council will review the nominee(s) and forward no more than two names with comments to the President.
   2. The President will consult with the President’s Cabinet before making a final decision. If no nominee meets the selection criteria sufficiently, the decision will be to not award an honorary degree.

The college president may or may not approve the recommendation. If approved, the Office of the College President will contact the nominee to make arrangements for participation in the commencement ceremony and will order an award plaque for the awardee.

Related Policies, Procedures, or Forms

• Minnesota State Board Policy 3.18 — Honorary Degrees
• Minnesota State Procedure 3.18.1 — Honorary Degrees

Date Implemented: 6/13/2013

Responsible Division / Author: Academic Affairs / Vice President of Academics & Innovation

Date Revised: 9/22/16 — Branding language/logo; May 2021 — draft; May 2021 — selection process/dates; Sept 2022 — selection dates