University Of WisconsinLa Crosse Special Baccalaureate Degrees Approved Faculty

university of wisconsin-la crosse special baccalaureate degrees approved faculty senate 08 may 2008 the awarding of a baccalaureate de

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Special Baccalaureate Degrees
Approved Faculty Senate 08 May 2008
The awarding of a baccalaureate degree is the pinnacle of the
undergraduate college experience. It is an honor bestowed upon those
that satisfactorily complete a course of study. Occasionally events
take place where the need to consider additional degree options arise.
The goal of these policies is to honor those who have provided
exemplary service to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and/or to
extend sympathy and compassion to the families and friends of deceased
students near completion of their degrees.
Below is a means of addressing different circumstances surrounding the
awarding of “Special Baccalaureate” degrees.
Special Baccalaureate Degree Options
• Honorary
• Extraordinary
• Posthumous
Honorary Degrees - are awarded to those who have demonstrated cause to
be honored. This degree is available to only a select group of highly
deserving individuals who merit special recognition for exceptional
achievement and distinction in a field or activity supporting the
mission of the University.
Criteria
An Honorary Degree may be awarded to a person who satisfies one or
more of the following:
Eminence, in the course of a career, in some field of scholarship, in
public service, or in an artistic, literary, governmental, religious,
financial, or other endeavor;
Support for the University through the individual's achievements and
the mission or life of the University.
Reflection of the diversity of interests, backgrounds, and concerns
forwarded by the University community and the society and world served
by the University.
Extraordinary Degrees - are awarded to students who are deceased
during his/her course of study at UW-L but not in their final year.
Awarding of an Extraordinary Degree recognizes achievement of the
deceased student while at UW-L and acknowledges the loss to the
university, family and friends, and extends to them the opportunity to
share in the success of the deceased student.
Criteria
An Extraordinary Degree may be awarded to a person who satisfies the
following:
The student had been enrolled at UW-L and contributed to the life of
the University.
The proposal is endorsed by the major/program department and by the
student’s college.
Posthumous Degrees - are awarded to students who are deceased prior to
but nearing formal completion of all degree requirements of the
programs being pursued.
Criteria
A Posthumous Degree may be awarded to a person who satisfies the
following:
The student was in his/her final year before graduation
There are substitutions or waivers for any required courses not
completed other than those in which the student was enrolled at the
time of death.
The proposal is endorsed by the major/program department and by the
student’s college.
For a graduate degree, the capstone experience was near completion.
Committee Structure
This proposal would establish one committee to administer all
applications and proposals. The committee shall be designated annually
as follows: the UW-L Executive Director of the Alumni Association, who
shall chair and convene the Committee, and two representatives from
each college and two members of the Alumni Association board of
directors, to consider and evaluate each application. The Executive
Director of the Alumni Association would remain as a permanent member
and the representatives from each college and the alumni association
would rotate on three-year appointments.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Guidelines for awarding an Honorary Degree
4/28/08
From time to time the university has the opportunity to award a degree
to those who have demonstrated cause to be honored. This non-academic
degree is available to only a select group of highly deserving
individuals who merit special recognition for genuine achievement and
distinction in a field or activity consonant with the mission of the
University.
1. Any member of the university may nominate and serve as an advocate
for an individual nominee. This individual may propose the action,
collect necessary information and present the proposal.
2. The proposal should be endorsed by a college, department or
program, office or a division of the university (i.e. the Office of
Student Life or the Office Multicultural Student Services.)
3. The following should be considered when making a determination
about awarding the degree:
Eminence, in the course of a career, in some field of scholarship, in
public service, or in an artistic, literary, governmental, religious,
financial, or other endeavor.
Support for the University through the individual's achievements and
the mission or life of the University.
Reflection of the diversity of interests, backgrounds, and concerns
forwarded by the University community and the society and world served
by the University.
4. The degree will be awarded in the term proposed.
5. Only one Honorary Degree may be conferred in an academic year.
6. Honorary Degrees are not official degrees and are not posted to any
official academic record.
Procedures
Any interested party may initiate consideration of awarding an
Honorary Degree.
The interested party will contact the Executive Director of the Alumni
Association.
The Executive Director will initiate with the appropriate office a
request to conduct a thorough review of the nominee. The Special
Degree Committee would then evaluate the application. The applications
should include:
• Letter of Nomination
• Resume
• Information on nominee’s connection to campus, philanthropic
activities,
professional achievements and academic credentials.
In addition, UW System General Counsel recommends the following
background information:
• A Google or comparable search of public records about the individual
• A Review of academic credentials
• For Wisconsin residents, a criminal background-check through the
Wisconsin Department of Justice and a Consolidated Court Automation
Programs (“CCAP”) review
If the committee concludes the application is of merit and the nominee
should be awarded an Honorary Degree, the committee recommendation
will be submitted to the Chancellor for University approval.
Honorary degree recipients shall not receive a speaker's fee or
honorarium for accepting an honorary degree or delivering a
commencement address or the equivalent.
No awards may be given to UW System employees, members of the Board of
Regents, public officials or political appointees
No honorary degree shall be conferred unless the recipient is present.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Guidelines for awarding an Extraordinary Degree
4/28/08
Extraordinary Degrees - are awarded to students who are deceased
during his/her course of study at UW-L but not in their final year.
Awarding of an Extraordinary Degree recognizes achievement of the
deceased student while at UW-L and acknowledges the loss to the
university, family and friends, and extends to them the opportunity to
share in the success of the deceased student.
The following process is a guideline to awarding that individual a
degree posthumously.
1. Any member of the university may nominate and serve as an advocate
for an individual nominee. This individual may propose the action,
collect necessary information and present the proposal.
2. The proposal should be endorsed and submitted by a college,
department or program, office or a division of the university (i.e.
the Office of Student Life or the Office Multicultural Student
Services.)
3. The student had been enrolled at UW-L and contributed to the life
of the University.
4. The degree will be awarded at the next possible commencement or
when possible a requested commencement.
5. Honorary Degrees are not official degrees and are not posted to any
official academic record.
6. A very brief statement about the student may be read at
commencement.
Procedures
Any interested party may initiate consideration of awarding a special
baccalaureate degree.
The interested party will contact the Executive Director of the Alumni
Association and/or the Special Degree Committee. A proposal would be
submitted to the committee by the nominating college, office,
department or program for review. Upon approval, a summary of the
review will be submitted to the Dean. If the Dean concludes the
deceased student should be awarded an Extraordinary Degree, the
committee recommendation will be forwarded to the Provost for
concurrence. If the Provost concurs, the recommendation will be
submitted to the Chancellor for final approval.
Upon prior approval of the family, the name of the deceased student
will be announced at Commencement, and the diploma holder will be
given to a family member or a representative chosen by the family.
A short statement about the student may be submitted for reading at
the awarding of the degree.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Guidelines for awarding a posthumous degree
Approved by CAPS 3/30/07
From time to time the university has an unfortunate situation where a
student who is extremely close to finishing a degree dies. The
following process is a guideline to awarding that individual a degree
posthumously.
1. A member of the student’s major/program, college or Student Life
may serve as an advocate. This individual may propose the action,
collect necessary information and present the proposal to all of the
appropriate bodies (see item 2 below). The person may write a very
brief statement about the student to be read at commencement and serve
as a host to the student’s family at the commencement ceremony.
2. The proposal should be endorsed by the major/program department and
by the student’s college.
3.
The following should be considered when making a determination
about awarding the degree:
4.
Was the student in his/her final year before graduation?
Are there substitutions or waivers for any required courses that were
not completed? (other than those in which the student was enrolled at
the time of death)
For a graduate degree, was the capstone experience near completion?
4. The degree will be posted (to the students academic record) in the
term during which the student had planned to graduate.
5. Grades for the final semester in which the student was enrolled (if
the death occurred during that time), will be recorded as “P” for
passing. Remaining requirements that have been waived or substituted
will be recorded on the student’s record.
Procedures
Any interested party may initiate consideration of awarding a special
baccalaureate degree.
The interested party will contact the Executive Director of the Alumni
Association or the College office in which the deceased student's
program resided. The Dean (or designee) will initiate with the Office
of the Records and Registration a request to conduct a thorough review
of the deceased student's progress toward his/her degree objective.
The Special Degree Committee and the College Dean will review the
application. If the Dean and committee conclude the deceased student
should be awarded a degree posthumously, the committee recommendation
will be forwarded to the Provost for concurrence. If the Provost
concurs, a summary of the review will be submitted to the Chancellor
for final approval.
Upon prior approval of the family, the name of the deceased student
will be announced at Commencement, and the diploma holder will be
given to a family member or a representative chosen by the family.
A short statement about the student may be submitted for reading at
the awarding of the degree.
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