Policy 3.5 - Honorary Degree Policy and Procedure

Date: April 20, 2009, Resolution #09-34

Supersedes:
NA

Introduction

SUNY Schenectady will be highly selective in awarding honorary degrees to qualified candidates. The Board of Trustees shall govern the selection of honorary degree recipients.

Purpose

An honorary degree from SUNY Schenectady should recognize individuals of outstanding achievement and contribution to an academic discipline, society, or the Schenectady community. Contributions to the community may include outstanding contributions to the College. Such degrees recognize distinguished scholarship, accomplishments, or service. Recipients of Schenectady County Community College honorary degrees should reflect the College’s ideals and values, enhance the reputation of the College, and exemplify the concepts of excellence, service, and integrity.

Guidelines

Up to two highly qualified candidates may be selected as honorary degree recipients each commencement day using the procedures outlined below. It is not mandatory that any honorary degrees be awarded.

Candidates for honorary degrees must be present to receive the degree, but an honorary degree may be awarded at a significant occasion other than commencement if deemed appropriate by the Board of Trustees.

An honorary degree may not be awarded to members of the College faculty, staff, or Board of Trustees currently serving the College or taking a hiatus year from Board service unless authorized by the full Board and in the presence of exceptional extenuating circumstances.

Selection Process

  1. The President accepts nominations of persons to be considered for the award of an honorary degree. Letters of nomination should outline the nominee's qualifications and the reasons why SCCC should consider awarding an honorary degree to the nominee.
  2. The President’s Council assesses the nomination materials, requests additional supporting materials, if appropriate, and determines a list of no more than two nominees.
  3. The President presents candidates for honorary degrees to the Board of Trustees for approval.
  4. The President contacts honorary degree nominees and makes arrangements for the honorary degree to be conferred.

Available Degrees

  • Associate of Civil Law (A.C.L.)
  • Associate of Commercial Science (A.C.S.)
  • Associate of Divinity (A.D.)
  • Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
  • Associate of Hebrew Letters (A.H.Litt.)
  • Associate of Human Letters (A.H.L.)
  • Associate of Jewish Theology (A.J.T.)
  • Associate of Laws (LL.A.)
  • Associate of Letters (A.Litt.)
  • Associate of Music (A.Mus.)
  • Associate of Pedagogy (A.Pd.)
  • Associate of Sacred Theology (A.S.T.)