Applies to: Faculty (including part-time and visiting faculty), postdoctoral scholars, staff and students (including graduate/undergraduate student workers and graduate assistants) employed by University of Southern California and its subsidiaries including Keck Medicine of USC (“USC employees”). This policy continues to apply to individuals on sabbatical, other leaves or while visiting other institutions.
1. POLICY
Issued: April 30, 2012
Last Revised: November 2, 2022
Last Reviewed: February 15, 2023
2. Policy Purpose
On occasion the university, the Alumni Association, or the dean of an academic unit wishes to acknowledge the extraordinary service or merit of an individual who has neither an earned degree from USC nor qualifies for an honorary degree.
3. Scope and Application
This policy applies to awarding Honorary University Alumni Status to an individual who has neither an earned degree from USC nor qualifies for an honorary degree.
4. Definitions
N/A
5. Policy Details
Awarding Honorary University Alumni Status
The Board of Trustees Alumni Affairs and University Development Committee adopted the following criteria for awarding honorary university alumni status (November 4, 2004):
- Someone who is not an alumnus of USC, but whose contribution of time and effort to the university are extraordinary and highly valued.
- Someone whose loyalty, involvement and identification with USC are truly that of a Trojan, although the person is not an alumnus.
- Someone who, if an alumnus of the university, would be likely to receive an Alumni Award at the Alumni Awards Dinner.
The qualifications of a potential honorary alumni candidate should first be discussed with the Associate Senior Vice President for Alumni Relations. Following this discussion, nominations for honorary alumni status may be made to the executive committee of the Alumni Association Board of Governors. That committee makes the recommendation to the Alumni Affairs and University Development Committee of the Board of Trustees, which passes the recommendation along to the President of the university for final determination. The Alumni Affairs and University Development Committee may also, on its own initiative, make recommendations for honorary university alumni status to the President of the university.
Awarding Honorary School Alumni Status
A dean of an academic unit may confer honorary alumni status from a particular school with the written approval of the Provost. There are no set criteria for awarding school alumni status; however, the criteria for awarding honorary university alumni status should be considered. Deans wishing to confer honorary alumni status are encouraged to consult the Associate Senior Vice President for Alumni Relations prior to seeking the written approval of the Provost.
6. Procedures
N/A
7. Forms
N/A
8. Responsibilities
N/A
9. Related Information
Alumni Affairs and University Development Committee
10. Contacts
Please direct any questions regarding this policy to:
| OFFICE | PHONE | |
| USC Alumni Association | (213) 740-2300 | alumni@usc.edu alumni.usc.edu |