Procedures and Guidelines

1. Criteria and Guidelines

Honorary degrees recognize those who have made profound and enduring contributions to scholarship, culture, and improved quality of life in society at large. Achievements of national or international significance deserve priority consideration. It is important that recipients be persons of great integrity, as the choices we make reflect our values as an institution.

There are some necessary restrictions to be considered:

In accordance with state statute, "No degree shall ever be conferred in consideration of the payment of money or the giving of property of whatsoever kind." RCW 28B.20.130

Declared candidates running for public office are not appropriate nominees for Honorary Degrees.

Honorary Degrees may not be conferred in absentia.

II. Titles of Honorary Degrees Available for Conferral

• Doctor of Arts (D.A.) - Design, visual, and performing arts
  
• Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) - Service to society (humanitarianism) and scholarship in the humanities (journalism, communication, history, philosophy, language, and literature) and social sciences
  
• Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) - Law, public policy, and public service
  
• Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) - Science, medicine, engineering, and related fields

III. Process for Nominations

Nominations for candidates may come from a variety of sources, including individual faculty members, departments, programs, schools, colleges, or campuses. They must be submitted through the office of a dean or chancellor. Consultation with respective college councils or departmental faculties is recommended.

Nomination materials should be submitted to the Chair of Faculty Council on University Relations (FCUR) at least 6 months in advance of the June commencement.

The quality of the nominating materials sent in support of nominees is extremely important, as the Council may not have independent knowledge of the nominees' accomplishments.

The nominating proposal should:

• Be signed by the proposer(s) and the respective dean or chancellor.
• Include a biography of the individual.
• Detail distinguished contributions to society, culture, scholarship, science, or art
• Give the reasons that make it particularly appropriate for the University of Washington to honor this individual.
• Contain pertinent information such as:
  • Full name of nominee for award
  • Degrees received and granting institutions
  • Relevant career history or experience relevant to the nomination
  • Significant honors, achievements, and contributions
  • Societies and associations in which a nominee holds membership

Supporting letters of nomination from individuals knowledgeable in the nominee's field of accomplishment are encouraged.

IV. Review, Selection, and Notification

The Faculty Council on University Relations will screen nominations and recommend, with supporting rationale, up to four finalists to the President, one for each of the four honorary degrees available.

The President will select the nominations to present to the Board of Regents.

Only the Board of Regents is authorized to award honorary degrees. Only after action by the Board of Regents should the nominee be informed of the honor; this will be coordinated by the Office of the President.

VI. Confidentiality

Every effort will be made to ensure that individual nominations and discussions of nominees by FCUR remain confidential. No publicity shall be issued regarding the nominees until final approval by the Board of Regents.

For more information contact:

Mary Ann Odegaard, Chair
Faculty Council on University Relations
modegaar@u.washington.edu
(206) 856-3835