A61.12A61.3.1: Honorary Degree Sub-Committee
PolicyApproved by: Faculty Senate
Effective: April 28, 2020
Responsible Faculty Committee: Senate Graduate and Professional Committee
Office Responsible for Administration: Office of the University Secretary
Revisions to the Policy Rationale, Policy Statement, and Applicability sections of this document must be approved by the full Faculty Senate.
Policy Rationale
The Honorary Degree Committee,Subcommittee is a subcommittee of the Senate Graduate and Professional Committee shall(SGPC).
Policy Statement
Early in each academic year, the Honorary Degree Subcommittee makes nominations for the awarding of honorary degrees in accordance with Regents’ Policy RPM 1.6 “Special Recognition and Awards.” Further information on awarding honorary degrees and other types of special recognition can be composed as follows:obtained from RPM 1.6.
Membership: Two (Two2) members appointed by the President of the Board of Regents; two (2) members of the General Faculty (general faculty appointed for two-year terms by the Faculty Senate: (two-year terms) two (2) members of the General Facultygeneral faculty appointed by the SGPC (appointed for two-year terms by the Senate Graduate Committee;) the UNM President of the University and the President of the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA). Additionally, the President of the Board of Regents and the Secretary of the University shall be ex-officio members, the Secretary to serve as Secretary of the Committee. The Committee shall elect its own chairman from among the faculty members appointed by the Faculty Senate and the Senate Graduate CommitteeSGPC.)
Operating guidelines: Each year, the Honorary Degree Committee shall solicit nominations for honorary degrees from any source they deem proper. However, a great emphasis should be placed on nominees whose contributions are to UNM, New Mexico, or the southwest. The Honorary Degree Committee shall decide if an honorary degree is to be given for any particular year. If no selection is made, the Senate Graduate CommitteeSGPC, the Faculty Senate, and the Board of Regents will be so notified. If the Honorary Degree Committee decides there are appropriate candidates--to a maximum of three (3) annually--they may make a selection or selections and shall present the names of the nominees to the Senate Graduate CommitteeSGPC for confidential approval or disapproval of any or all names. If Senate Graduate Committee'sSGPC’s approval is forthcoming for any or all of the nominees, the names shall be submitted to the Faculty Senate for confidential approval no later than at the FebruaryJanuary meeting. Names of nominees approved by the Faculty Senate shall then be submitted to the Board of Regents, through the appropriate Regent Committee, for formal approval at their Commencement meeting. (However, approval of the Regents not on the Honorary Degree Committee must be secured informally before names are submitted to the Senate Graduate CommitteeSGPC.) Disapproval of all names by the Senate Graduate CommitteeSGPC, the Faculty Senate, or the Regents stops the process at that point for that year. New nominations from the Senate Graduate CommitteeSGPC, the Faculty Senate, or the Regents will only be considered by the Honorary Degree Committee for a subsequent year.
Applicability
Early in each academic yearAll UNM faculty, including the Honorary Degree Committee makes nominations for the awarding of honorary degrees in accordance with the policy provided belowHealth Sciences Center and Branch Community Colleges.
Policy for Awarding Honorary Degrees
Approved, Faculty 10/21/51; Approved, Regents 03/10/52; Amended, 12/17/63; Amended, 02/23/67; Amended, 1/14/69; Amended, 05/12/92; Amended and Approved, Regents 11/14/96.
The University of New Mexico wishes to recognize and thereby encourage individuals by awarding special honors to those persons who have contributed significantlyRevisions to the cultural or scientific developmentremaining sections of the Southwest, or to the spiritual or material welfare of its people. At the same time, due regard shouldthis document may be paid to eminent individuals and scholars whose contributions are of general significance and transcend geographic limitations. In no case should a passing courtesy to the University of New Mexico, such as the delivery of a commencement address, be the sole or principal cause for such honorary awards. The award of an honorary degree to a person seeking or holding a political office does not indicate endorsement by the University of New Mexico. Political involvement should not prevent selection of an individual for an honorary degree.
It is not the University's policy to award honorary degrees to active members of the faculty, staff, or administration. This does not preclude, in an exceptional case, the awarding of an honorary degree to an emeritus member of the faculty or to a former employee whose stature remains or becomes eminent in the years following active serviceamended with the University. In such exceptions, sufficient time shall have elapsed to ensure objectivity in the process of selection.
Honorary degrees will be awarded only upon the approval of the Regents, based on recommendations fromFaculty Senate Policy and Operations Committee in consultation with the responsible Faculty Senate Committee listed in Policy Heading.
Definitions
No specific definitions are required for the Policy Statement.
Who should read this policy
- Academic chairs, directors, and deans
- Non-academic managers and directors
- Vice presidents and other executives
Related Documents
Regents’ Policy Manual Policy 1.6 “Special Recognition and Awards”
Faculty Handbook:
Contacts
Direct any questions about this policy to the UNM Office of the University Secretary.
Procedures
The Honorary Degree Committee, whose membership is set out inSubcommittee will schedule regular meetings. The Chair will report subcommittee recommendations through the SGPC for consideration for approval by the Faculty HandbookSenate.
Further information on awarding honorary degrees and other types of special recognition can be obtained from "Special Recognition and Awards," Section 1.6, Regents' Policy Manual.
History
- April 28, 2020 - Amended by Faculty Senate
- November 22, 2011 - Amended by Faculty Senate
- March 22, 2011 - Approved by Faculty Senate