Degrees Offered
The Board of Trustees authorized Illinois State University to award the honorary degrees of Doctor of Laws (LLD), Doctor of Science (ScD), Doctor of Literature (Litt.D), Doctor of Arts (D.A.) and Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.). Eligible for these degrees are persons who have had substantial impact on the broader community that aligns with the mission and values of the University.
Committee
A committee to nominate candidates for honorary degrees shall be composed of the following:
- Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies
- A student elected by the Student Government Association Assembly
- President of the ISU Alumni Association
- A Distinguished Professor of the University
- A student senator elected by the Student Government Association
- A faculty member at large
- A faculty senator elected by the Faculty Caucus of the Academic Senate
- A Liaison from University Advancement (non-voting)
The President of the University will name the Distinguished Professor and the faculty member at large. The Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies will serve as the Chairperson of the committee. The student members and President of the Alumni Association will be appointed for a term of one year. The Distinguished Professor, faculty member at large, and faculty senator will be elected/appointed for staggered terms of three years each. No more than two faculty should be from any one college or division (in the case of the College of Arts and Sciences). A representative from University Advancement shall serve as a non-voting Liaison to the committee.
Nominations
The committee will solicit nominations for honorary degrees. Nominations remain active for three years, with the opportunity for the nominator to update a nomination each year. The committee will make recommendations to the President regarding recipients and the degree to award. The President seeks approval of the degrees to be awarded to nominees in an executive session of the Academic Senate and submits these nominations to the Board of Trustees for approval.
During the nomination and approval process, it is essential that names be held in strictest confidence until the Board has approved the awards and the intended recipient(s) indicate willingness to accept the honor and attend the Graduation ceremonies.
Rescission of Honorary Degrees
The President, in consultation with the Academic Senate, may rescind such degrees if the honoree acts in a manner that may have an adverse impact on the University, may bring the University discredit, disrepute, or whose actions would be in violation of University policies and regulations if the honoree were employed by the University. Following discussion, the Academic Senate will vote upon the President’s recommendation and inform the President of the result of the vote for consideration in the decision to rescind the degree.