PM-7 - LSU System Guidelines for Awarding Honorary Degrees

Consideration for nomination should be based on the individual's contribution to his/her field of endeavor or to society in general. Individuals nominated should be of such outstanding character and distinction that their acceptance of such a degree would honor both the Louisiana State University System and the campus presenting the award.

Individuals who have made substantial contributions to the development of the Louisiana State University System, a component of the System, the State of Louisiana or the Nation should be given special consideration for nomination to an honorary degree.

Current public office holders or candidates for office other than a sitting President are not eligible.

Current members of the LSU Board of Supervisors are not eligible and past members are not eligible until a period of two years has elapsed.

Nominations should originate from the faculty of a college or school or a campus wide committee and be forwarded, with appropriate administrative endorsement, through normal academic channels to the President. The President will submit the nomination to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the System-wide Committee on Awarding of Honorary Degrees and the members of the Board of Supervisors for review. Recommended candidates will then be submitted to the full Board.

In order to be placed on the Board of Supervisors Agenda, honorary degree nominations must be submitted to the President no later than six (6) weeks prior to the appropriate Board meeting.

The highest elected faculty officer from the following degree granting campuses: Louisiana State University, LSU in Shreveport, and the University of New Orleans.

A faculty member from the LSU Health Sciences Center shall be recommended by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and appointed by the Chancellor.

The graduate deans of LSU, LSU Health Sciences Center, and UNO.

The Vice President for Academic Affairs shall serve as ex officio chairman of the Committee.

Each campus should limit the number of honorary degrees awarded during an academic year to two (2). However, additional degrees may be awarded under special circumstances, as approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors.

Each campus is encouraged to consider the use of special recognition, such as the awarding of a university medal, for those individuals who merit special consideration.

It is critically important that nominations for honorary degrees are submitted in accordance with deadline provisions outlined in Section II(b) listed above.