Appendix D: Regents Policy on Awards, Honors, and Recognition (excerpt)
...The University of Minnesota confers a number of awards and honors on prominent local, state, national, and international persons who have achieved distinction and recognition in public service, enterprise, education and science, literature, and the arts...
ARTICLE 2, SECTION III: HONORARY DEGREES
Subd. 1. Achievement of Eminence. The honorary degree is the highest award conferred by the University of Minnesota. An honorary degree may be awarded to an individual who has achieved acknowledged eminence in cultural affairs, public service, or a field of knowledge and scholarship.
Subd. 2. Pursuit of Knowledge and Betterment of Society. The awarding of honorary degrees by a university is an extension of its role as the unique institution in our society devoted to the discovery, transmission, and preservation of knowledge. The award of an honorary degree constitutes recognition by this institution of distinctive achievement that has added materially to knowledge and to the betterment of society.
Subd. 3. Relationship to the University. It is the policy of the University of Minnesota to honor qualified persons within the academic community, as well as those in other arenas such as public service or enterprise. Persons receiving honorary degrees need not have received their education at, or have been otherwise associated with, this University. Honorary degrees should not be awarded solely to encourage or reward contributions to the University.
Sudb.4. Degree Titles. The University of Minnesota awards the following honorary degrees:
(a) Doctor of Humane Letters–for cultural contributions
(b) Doctor of Laws–for public service
(c) Doctor of Science–for contributions to knowledge
Subd. 5. Annual Public Recognition. The awarding of honorary degrees should be an event at which the celebration of achievement is given public recognition. It is expected that several honorary degrees shall be awarded annually.
ARTICLE 2, SECTION IV: OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
These awards may be conferred upon former students of the University who have attained unusual distinction in their chosen fields, professions, or public service, and who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership on a community, state, national, or international level. The candidate's education at the University should represent a significant portion of the candidate's total education.
ARTICLE 2, SECTION V: ALUMNI SERVICE AWARDS
The Alumni Service Award may be conferred upon former students in recognition of volunteer service to the University, its schools, colleges, departments, or faculty, or to the University of Minnesota Alumni Association or any of its constituent groups. Nominations are submitted initially to the executive director of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. After review by the Alumni Honors Committee of the alumni association, recommendations are forwarded to the honors committee.
ARTICLE 4: REGENTS AWARDS
Subd. 4. Distinguished International Service Award. This award was developed to be of assistance in recognizing distinguished foreign dignitaries on the occasion of their visits to the campus. Recipients are determined by the chair and vice chair of the Board of Regents and the president.
Subd. 5. Regents Award. The Regents Award may be conferred upon individuals who have contributed to the building and development of the University through significant benefactions, or who have performed exceptionally valuable and meritorious service to the University. Candidacy is not limited to graduates or former students of the University of Minnesota. The committee that considers nominations for the Regents Awards consists of the president, the executive vice president and provost, the chairperson of the Senate Consultative Committee, and three members of the Board of Regents who are appointed by the board chair. The president of the University of Minnesota Foundation serves as ex officio member. Recipients are determined by this committee...
The complete policy is available at: www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/academic/Awards.pdf