Honorary Degrees

Procedure Administrator: Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff

Authority: N.J.S.A. 18A:64-8

Effective Date: December 3, 2020; August 26, 2021; December 7, 2023

Index Cross-References: Procedure File Number: 1162

Approved By: Dr. Joe Bertolino, President

An honorary degree may be bestowed upon individuals whose accomplishments fulfill standards of excellence for Stockton University and the larger community.

The following criteria shall guide the University community in its efforts to nominate individuals for the awarding of honorary degrees. An honorary degree may be granted in recognition of two or more of the following criteria:

1. The nominee has demonstrated outstanding achievement in their respective field.
2. The nominee upholds the University’s mission and values and has a reputation for integrity and excellence.
3. The nominee has made a substantial contribution(s) to Stockton University.

Current University employees are not eligible for nomination. Employees must be
separated from the University for five years before becoming eligible.

Nomination Process:

Anyone may submit honorary degree nominations to the Honorary Degree Committee, consisting of the Provost, President of Faculty Senate, President of Staff Senate, President of Student Senate, and faculty, staff, students, and alumni appointed by the President. The Honorary Degree Committee will review all nominations and supporting material and present a recommendation to the President who, upon approval, will present a recommendation to the full Board of Trustees for its review and action. The President may make a recommendation directly to the Board of Trustees without prior review by the Honorary Degree Committee.

Honorary degrees, with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereunto, shall be awarded at the University’s commencement, honors convocation, or any other occasion deemed appropriate by the President and the Board of Trustees.

The University may revoke an honorary degree if the University’s Board of Trustees, in its reasonable and good faith opinion, determine that circumstances have changed or if information is discovered such that the recipient’s recognition would adversely impact the University’s reputation or conflict with the University’s stated mission, vision, or values. Alternatively, the University’s Board of Trustees may, in its discretion, determine an alternative recognition. The University shall make all reasonable efforts to inform the recipient of any termination or change.

Members of the University community may initiate consideration of the revocation of an honorary degree by sending a request and all supporting material to the Office of the President for review by the Honorary Degree Committee. The Committee will then present a formal recommendation to the President, who, upon approval, will present a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for its review and action.

Review History:
Date
Policy Administrator 11/17/2023
Divisional Executive 11/17/2023
General Counsel 12/07/2023
Cabinet 12/07/2023
President 12/07/2023