Honorary Degrees Policy 113

Policy 113 Approved: February 17, 2011
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Honorary Degrees Policy
Policy 113
Source of Authority: UNC Code Appendix 1
Revision Authority: Board of Trustees
History: First Issued: February 17, 2011
Related Policies: Emeritus Status Policy 110
Responsible Offices: Chancellor
Provost
Effective Date: February 17, 2011

I. Purpose

UNCSA awards Honorary Doctoral Degrees to recognize individuals who have attained achievements of extraordinary and lasting distinction.

II. Scope

This policy will apply to all honorary degrees or distinctions conferred by UNCSA.

III. Definitions

IV. Policy

A. The Board of Trustees is responsible for approving all Honorary Degrees to be conferred by UNCSA, subject to such policies as may be established by the Board of Governors.

1. The Board of Trustees will make its selections of honorary degree recipients from nominations submitted to and recommended by the Provost.

2. The Provost will coordinate nominations with the Chancellor.

3. The Board of Trustees will confer the honorary doctoral degree of Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts.

B. Awards shall be based on an individual’s record of scholarship, creativity, leadership, humanitarian service or public service.

C. Honorary Doctoral Degrees shall not be awarded to members of UNCSA faculty, staff, Trustees or members of the Board of Governors, the Governor, or any other university, so long as the relationship exists.

V. Revision History

A. February 17, 2011 – Adopted by Board of Trustees as part of UNCSA Policy Manual


Nomination Process and Procedures for the UNC School of the Arts Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree

The Honorary Degrees Committee invites nominations of distinguished individuals to be considered for an honorary degree. The Honorary Degree Committee consists of the Vice Provost and Dean of Academic Affairs and three faculty representatives. Faculty representatives serve on a three-year cycle, with one member rotating off of the committee each year. Awarded annually at the spring commencement ceremonies, the honorary degree is given:

  • to recognize individuals whose talent and creativity in the world of the arts has enriched our lives;
  • to acknowledge individuals whose devotion to and support of the UNC School of the Arts merits our highest recognition; and
  • to elevate the university in the eyes of the world by honoring individuals who are widely known and highly regarded in their respective fields of endeavor.

The Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree recognizes individuals whose achievements are extraordinary and have lasting distinction. It is awarded to individuals who may or may not have an existing association with the University, on the basis of excellence in scholarship, creativity, leadership, humanitarian service, and public service. Members of the Board of Governors or employees of the University of North Carolina or any of its constituent institutions are not eligible. Any elected official or state employee concerned with the function and control of the UNC School of the Arts becomes eligible after termination of such status.

Any faculty, staff, student, alumnus, or friend of UNCSA may nominate a potential candidate. Award nominations are made to the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost and must be received by October 1 for consideration for the following spring. Nominations shall consist of a completed Honorary Degree Nomination Form, a 2-3 page Nomination Statement, and other supporting materials as deemed necessary by the nominator. The following questions should be answered in the Nomination Statement:

  • What is the specific content of the nominee’s contribution?
  • What is original about that contribution?
  • Of all possible contributions to the field of endeavor, why is this nominee of exceptional merit?
  • Why are the contributions of the nominee especially appropriate to UNCSA?

The Arts School Dean shall be consulted to provide feedback on a candidate from a specific arts discipline. In the instance of a nominee who is not clearly associated with an arts school, the Dean of the Division of Liberal Arts shall be consulted.

After review by the Honorary Degree Committee, a group of nominees of outstanding distinction and accomplishment are recommended to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost and the Chancellor of the University, who then forward a slate for approval to the UNC School of the Arts Board of Trustees through its Academic and Student Affairs Committee. A maximum of three awards, or four if the commencement speaker(s) are included, shall be recommended in a single academic year.

Honorary Degree Nomination Form