Honors, Awards and Distinctions Committee

Purpose

To oversee University-level recognition of academic excellence, institutional distinction, and service to the University, including student academic honors, honorary degrees, emeritus status, and related recognitions, while ensuring appropriate confidentiality, representation, and reporting pathways.

Functions

The committee shall:

A. Academic Honors and Student Recognition

• Formulate policies, principles, and standards for evaluation and presentation of academic honors and awards recognized by the University;
• Recommend standards of academic achievement for recognition of honorary societies and fraternities;
• Determine the qualifications of organizations seeking recognition as academic honor societies;
• Maintain communication with college-level honors and awards committees;
• Review lists submitted by the Registrar of candidates for academic honors prior to commencement;
• Recommend to the President honors and awards related to student academic achievement.

B. Institutional Distinction and Faculty Recognition

• Receive and review confidential nominations for honorary degrees;
• Identify candidates for honorary degrees based on distinguished contributions at national, regional, or University levels;
• Conduct confidential polling of Faculty Senate members with faculty status and certify results as required;
• Recommend approved candidates to the Board of Trustees through the President in accordance with applicable law;
• Nominate faculty members for emeritus status through the Vice President for Academic Affairs in accordance with Board policy;
• Advise the President on naming or renaming of University facilities.

C. Governance

• Establish procedures to ensure confidentiality where required;
• Advise the President and Faculty Senate on matters related to University-level honors and distinctions.

D. Membership: (Consistent with Article 5, Section B)

• Three elected faculty members eligible for election to Faculty Senate, serving staggered three-year terms;
• One additional faculty member in the first four years of appointment, appointed by the Committee on Committees for a one-year term;
• Two undergraduate students appointed by USG for one-year terms;
• One graduate student appointed by GSS for a one-year term.

Ex Officio Members

• Registrar or designee;
• Assistant Vice President for Student Activities and Organizations;
• One administrator appointed by the President.

Participation Parameters

Student members shall participate in deliberations concerning student academic honors and awards.

Student members shall not participate in deliberations concerning honorary degrees, emeritus status, or naming or renaming of University facilities.

Only members eligible to participate in a given category of deliberation shall vote on matters within that category.

Chair and Organization

The committee shall elect a chair from among its elected faculty members in accordance with Article 5(B)(iv)

The chair may delegate specific review tasks or responsibilities to appropriate members based on expertise, role, or confidentiality requirements and may convene ad hoc working groups as necessary.

2025-2026 Committee Members