State College and Community College to Bestow Honorary Baccalaureate Degrees

CARSON CITY -- The Board of Regents today granted the presidents of Nevada’s two newest 4-year degree-granting institutions the ability to award honorary baccalaureate degrees.

In the past, Nevada’s public universities and community colleges could bestow honorary doctorate and associate degrees to individuals who have made “significant contributions to the improvement of the quality of academic programs and academic life,” or distinguished visitors.

The Board of Regents changed that policy today when they approved changes to their handbook that would allow Nevada State College and Great Basin College to award honorary baccalaureate degrees at their respective commencement ceremonies.

“Today’s action by the Board of Regents allows our baccalaureate degree granting institutions the ability to recognize those who have made positive impacts on these vital institutions and on the lives of so many,” says Board Chair Doug Seastrand.

This amendment will allow Nevada State College to award honorary degrees at its future commencements and it permits additional flexibility to Great Basin College to award both honorary associate and honorary baccalaureate degrees.

The Nevada Board of Regents is the elected, 13-member governing body for the University and Community College System of Nevada. Comprising two doctoral granting universities, a state college, four comprehensive community colleges and one environmental research institute, the UCCSN serves the educational and job training needs of the nation's fastest growing state. As Nevada's only system of higher education, the UCCSN provides educational opportunities to more than 93,000 students.

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