INDEX

Introduction
Table of Contents

Policies in Process

Preliminaries

Policies

1. Legal Authority and Governance

2. University-wide

3. Presidential Area

4. Academic Affairs

5. Business Affairs

6. Student Life

7. University Advancement

8. Administrative Services

Selection of Commencement Speakers

Policy Statement

The President of the University has final approval authority over the selection of the speaker at the Commencement ceremony. The Commencement speaker is usually

a person of national or international prominence, who has made a distinguished contribution in a chosen field related to the mission of Marywood University, or one who has made an especially outstanding and significant contribution to the University;

a person who holds at least a bachelor's degree, or one who would be a role model for students and faculty.

The ordinary channel to the President for recommendations for commencement speakers is through the Commencement Speakers Committee in consort with the Faculty Senate Committee for Honorary Doctorates. A list of recommended persons is submitted to the President at least one full year in advance of the Commencement ceremony for which the potential speakers are recommended.

Confidentiality is expected of committee members, including discussion with potential speakers about the possibility of selection. The President, who communicates directly with those being considered, announces formally the name of the Commencement speaker.

Procedures

The Commencement Speakers Committee, in consort with the Committee for Honorary Doctorates, maintains an ongoing list through a constant search to identify persons best able to meet the criteria for commencement speaker. Although a campus-wide solicitation for potential speakers is done annually by the Commencement Speakers Committee, any interested person or group of persons may submit names to committee members at any time.

1. Annually, by September 1, the Chair of the Commencement Speakers Committee sends its list of possible candidates to the Faculty Senate Committee for Honorary Doctorates.
   
   
2. By December 1, the Commencement Speakers Committee receives from the Committee for Honorary Doctorates its list of potential candidates for the honorary doctoral degree.
   
   
3. By March 1, the Commencement Speakers Committee will have reviewed the credentials of candidates, their fee scales, availability, etc.
   
   
4. Before April 1, the Commencement Speakers Committee and the Committee for Honorary Degrees compile a combined list. The Committee for Honorary Doctorates lists its nominees for the honorary doctoral degree, and the Commencement Speakers Committee indicates on the list those persons it recommends as potential speakers.
   
   
5. Annually, by April 1, the Commencement Speakers Committee and the Committee for Honorary Doctorates send to the President a short-list, signed by chairs of both committees, of at least three recommendations for the Commencement ceremony for the following academic year. Although the recommended persons for the honorary doctorate are not ranked, the Commencement Speakers Committee may wish to rank its recommendations for speaker.

Related Policies and Committees

Policy - Conferring Academic Degrees
Committee - Commencement Speakers Committee

History of the Policy

12/03/99 - Approved by the President as recommended by the University Committee on Policy