Regents Policy 2302: Policy on the Awarding Of Honorary Degrees

Approved September 18, 1986
Amended September 22, 2005

Bylaw 29.1, Honorary Degrees, states that:

1. Honorary degrees may be awarded upon recommendation of the President of the University and approval by a three-fourths vote of the members present at a meeting of the Board next following the meeting at which the recommendation of the President of the University was made.
2. Honorary degrees shall not be awarded to members of the Board or to active employees of the University. Honorary degrees shall not be awarded to former employees of the University until eleven months or more after date of retirement.
3. No more than three honorary degrees shall be awarded at any one ceremony on a campus of the University and no more than four honorary degrees shall be awarded at any one campus during an academic year.

At the September 1986 meeting, the Regents discussed the moratorium on honorary degrees that had been in effect since 1972 and decided to continue that moratorium. In the meantime, some campuses have instituted the award of medals to honor individuals who have provided distinguished service to the campus. The President recommends and The Regents concur that the moratorium on honorary degrees be continued into the future.