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Policy Contact: Office of Academic Affairs

1. Purpose 

   This policy is governed by SDBOR Policy 2.6.3 and sets forth the processes by which the University may bestow non-academic honorary and posthumous degrees.

2. Definitions
   1. Honorary Doctorate Degree: the highest honor bestowed by the SDBOR and University. The purpose of the Honorary Degree is to pay tribute to worthy individuals and at the same time enhance the University by such action. Honorary Doctorate Degrees may be conferred as follows:
      1. Doctor of Humane Letters
      2. Doctor of Letters and Literature
      3. Doctor of Public Service
      4. Doctor of Science
   2. Honorary Bachelor's or Master's Degree: an honorary degree awarded by the SDBOR and University when it is determined as more appropriate than an Honorary Doctorate Degree. The Honorary Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree is not an equivalent or a replacement for an earned academic degree and does not appear on a transcript.
   3. Posthumous Degree: an honorary degree awarded by the SDBOR and University to a deceased student who was in the final phases of academic degree completion at the time of death or whose death occurred under extraordinary circumstances such as in a University-sponsored activity or while on military duty. Posthumous degrees do not appear on a transcript.
3. Policy 
   1. Eligibility for Honorary Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate Degree
      1. Any person who has made extraordinary contributions or service that benefits society will be eligible for this recognition. This includes individuals who have provided significant service to South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã and graduates of this University who have achieved outstanding national or international distinction in their profession.
      2. The following restrictions apply:
         1. Anyone actively serving as an employee of the SDBOR or elected government officials serving South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã.
         2. Past or anticipated philanthropic activities or services rendered to the University are not considerations for conferring honorary degrees.
   2. Guidelines for Selection
      1. Substantial evidence must be presented that extraordinary achievement has been accomplished. Substantial evidence should include a significant degree of creativity, resourcefulness, humanitarian concern, personal dedication, intellect, and other qualities consistent with the intent of an honorary degree. Therefore, careful distinction must be made between the extraordinary effort of talented, selfless, and energetic individuals who have performed beyond the call of duty in service to humankind, in contrast to normal expectations in fulfilling service, employment, or professional requirement (including longevity).
      2. Consideration will be given to biographical information which may include, in addition to personal data, itemization of civic and social service awards unrelated to the proposed honorary degree or political or business achievements not associated with the primary reason for the nomination.
   3. Nomination Process
      1. As a matter of professional discretion, the entire process must be kept confidential, from the moment of nomination through contacting the successful nominee. The nomination process is as follows:
         1. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will solicit nominations for honorary degrees.
         2. Nominations for an honorary degree can be made by an individual or group. The title selected for an honorary degree shall not duplicate any existing earned degree title held by the nominee.
         3. Requirements for Nomination:
            1. Letter of support from the nominator;
            2. a 100-word-or-less nomination summary highlighting the nominee's achievements;
            3. A biographical sketch of the nominee (not to exceed five (5) pages) and other appropriate supporting evidence (not to exceed ten (10) pages); and
            4. Up to three (3) additional letters of support may also be included.
   4. Posthumous Degrees
      1. In rare occasions, the SDBOR and University will authorize the awarding of a Posthumous Degree in recognition of meritorious but incomplete work that represents substantial progress toward degree completion. Most commonly this will be granted in those cases where the student was enrolled in good standing and in the final phases of degree completion at the time of death.
      2. The nomination process is as follows:
         1. Requests for consideration of awarding a Posthumous Degree can be made by an individual or group.
         2. Requirements for nomination:
            1. Letter of support from a member of the University faculty in the deceased student's field of study;
            2. Letters of support from the deceased student's field of study department head or school director and dean;
            3. A summary of the deceased student's academic achievements at the University, including credits completed toward graduation.
   5. Conferring of Honorary and Posthumous Degrees
      1. Honorary Degrees and Posthumous Degrees are typically conferred at the spring commencement ceremony.
      2. Nominators and/or respective colleges are encouraged to plan other recognition activities/receptions to honor the individuals.
4. Procedures
   1. Honorary Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate Degree
      1. All nominations must be submitted no later than December 1 each year to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, who is responsible for assigning each nomination to an appropriate department/school or college for faculty review. In cases where credentials of a nominee cannot be matched with an existing University academic unit, the nomination letter will be assigned to an academic dean who will assemble an ad hoc faculty committee.
      2. The assigned department head, school director, or college dean is responsible for soliciting and documenting from their unit or ad hoc committee a faculty response to the nomination. The faculty response will then become part of the nomination package and will be returned to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
      3. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs must forward all nominations receiving favorable faculty support to the Academic Affairs Subcommittee on Faculty à£à£Ö±²¥Ðãs. The subcommittee will be appointed by the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee.
      4. The Subcommittee on Faculty à£à£Ö±²¥Ðãs may recommend one or more nominees put forth by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs to the Academic Affairs Committee for their approval and finally to the Executive Committee of Faculty Senate for approval. Normally, no more than two (2) honorary degrees will be awarded per academic year. An award may be delayed and presented in a following year in order to accommodate the schedule of the person receiving the degree.
      5. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will retain on file for two (2) additional years all nominations not put forth by the Subcommittee on Faculty à£à£Ö±²¥Ðãs. The nominations will be re-submitted for consideration by the subcommittee, along with new nominations, for up to two subsequent years. If a nomination is not approved after three (3) years, the subcommittee will instruct the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs to remove such nominations from further consideration.
   2. Posthumous Degrees
      1. Nominations must be submitted to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs for review and consideration.
      2. The department head, school director, or college dean of the deceased student’s field of study is responsible for soliciting and documenting from their unit a faculty response to the nomination. The faculty response will then become part of the nomination package which will be submitted to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
      3. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will present the Posthumous Degree nomination package to the University Faculty Senate for approval.
      4. Upon approval by the Faculty Senate, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will submit the awarding of Posthumous Degree recommendation to the President who will forward the institution’s recommendation for SDBOR consideration.

5. Responsible Administrator

   The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, or designee, is responsible for annual and ad hoc review of this policy and procedures. The University President is responsible for approval of this policy.

Approved by President on 04/12/2025.

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