UPPS 02.03.01 - Honorary Doctoral Degrees

POLICY STATEMENT

Texas State University recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to society, academia, or the community and exemplify the values and mission of the institution.

1. SCOPE

   1. Texas State University selectively awards honorary doctorates to individuals who exemplify excellence in academic or philanthropic endeavors. Honorary doctorates may also be awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves through nationally or internationally significant achievements.

2. ELIGIBILITY FOR HONORARY DOCTORAL DEGREES

   1. This policy establishes a process for awarding honorary doctoral degrees to recognize excellence in public affairs, humanities, the arts, education, business, and the sciences.

   2. Honorary degrees at Texas State are awarded in accordance with guidelines of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which recognizes that honorary degrees may be appropriately awarded for scholarly achievement, attainments that demonstrate exceptional creativity, or distinguished service. The integrity of earned degrees, however, should be protected; therefore, SACSCOC discourages the awarding of earned degrees as honorary degrees or the use of terminology that implies such.

3. PROCEDURES FOR SELECTING RECIPIENTS

   1. The president appoints an Honorary Doctoral Degree Committee, including the provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs (provost), who chairs the Committee, and the dean of The Graduate College.

   2. The Honorary Doctoral Committee will consider persons who have achieved extraordinary accomplishments in their careers; provided meritorious and outstanding contributions to the university, the state, the nation, or internationally; or made distinguished contributions to humanity.

   3. The provost will call a meeting of the Committee to determine if files should go forward to the president for consideration. The provost and the Committee will also recommend the Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) honorary doctoral degree to be awarded.

   4. The president, in consultation with the provost, will determine the names and the degree title that the university will recommend to The Texas State University System (TSUS) Board of Regents for honorary degrees. After review and approval by the TSUS Board of Regents, the president will invite the individual who will be recognized to accept the honorary doctoral degree.

   5. Working with the Office of the President, the provost and the Dean of The Graduate College will coordinate the presentation of honorary doctoral degrees.

4. REVIEWERS OF THIS UPPS

   1. Reviewers of this UPPS include the following:

      Position	Date
      Dean, The Graduate College	October 1 E5Y
      Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs	October 1 E5Y

5. CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

   This UPPS has been approved by the following individuals in their official capacities and represents Texas State policy and procedure from the date of this document until superseded.

   Dean of The Graduate College; senior reviewer of this UPPS

   Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

   President