
POLICY ON THE AWARDING OF HONORARY DEGREES
September 18, 1986
Amended September 22, 2005
Bylaw 29.1., Honorary Degrees, states that:
a. 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.
b. 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.
c. 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.