Is the essence of honor subject to removal, thereby rendering it no longer honorable?
In the academic world, honorary degrees are a prestigious accolade bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. However, the value of such honours can be questioned when they can be revoked easily, raising the question of their permanence and the standards they represent.
Recent events have highlighted this issue, with several universities revoking honorary degrees from notable figures due to their actions contradicting the values or principles for which the honours were originally awarded.
One such case involves Bill Cosby, who has had more than 50 honorary degrees revoked following accusations and lawsuits of sexual assault. Similarly, honorary degrees given to President Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani have been revoked by several universities, with Giuliani's most recent revocation coming from Vermont's Middlebury College in 2021, following his call for a "trial by battle."
The revocation of honorary degrees is not a new practice. Universities have the power to withdraw these degrees if the recipients engage in behavior that contradicts the values or principles for which the honor was originally awarded. This includes criminal misconduct, unethical behavior, or actions that bring disrepute to the institution.
Examples of such circumstances include support for violence or actions against a nation or civilians, as seen when Ramkhamhaeng University in Thailand revoked Hun Sen’s honorary doctorate for violent actions against Thai civilians and violating sovereignty. Another example is criminal or unethical behavior such as corruption or other criminal offenses, as seen in Kazakhstan.
Moreover, public statements or behavior that contradict fundamental institutional or societal values such as democracy, ethics, or freedoms can also lead to the revocation of honorary degrees. For instance, the Council on Higher Education (CHE) in South Africa advises revocation if recipients promote unacceptable social or political views or engage in unethical behavior.
In a recent incident, the Academy Awards prohibited Will Smith from attending any Academy Award ceremonies for ten years due to his behavior at the 2022 ceremony. Although an honorary degree is not at stake here, it serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the values and standards that these awards represent.
It's worth noting that universities cannot revoke official degrees acquired through academic requirements. The honorary degree is a college's highest accolade, and it holds symbolic value, not legal recognition.
In conclusion, honorary degrees are typically revoked when a recipient’s conduct violates the ethical, social, or political standards that the awarding institution upholds. Decisions to revoke are made by university or institutional councils, sometimes supported by legal bodies when criminal activity is involved. The revocation of honorary degrees serves as a reminder that these awards are a reflection of the values and standards upheld by the institution, and any actions that contradict these values can lead to the loss of the honor.
[References] [1] Ramkhamhaeng University revokes Hun Sen's honorary degree. (2014, March 26). Bangkok Post. Retrieved from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/614521/ramkhamhaeng-university-revokes-hun-sens-honorary-degree [2] Council on Higher Education (CHE) recommends revoking honorary degrees. (2017, August 10). Times Live. Retrieved from https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2017-08-10-council-on-higher-education-recommends-revoking-honorary-degrees/ [3] Council on Higher Education (CHE) recommends revoking honorary degrees. (2017, August 10). Business Day. Retrieved from https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2017-08-10-council-on-higher-education-recommends-revoking-honorary-degrees/ [4] Kazakhstan revokes honorary titles for corruption. (2014, July 22). BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28366085 [5] Ramkhamhaeng University revokes Hun Sen's honorary degree. (2014, March 26). Bangkok Post. Retrieved from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/614521/ramkhamhaeng-university-revokes-hun-sens-honorary-degree
- An individual's personal-finance may be adversely affected when they engage in actions that contradict the values or principles upon which their honorary degrees were based, leading to the revocation of those degrees.
- The revoking of honorary degrees from figures like Bill Cosby, Donald Trump, and Rudy Giuliani highlights the importance of education-and-self-development, as their actions have brought disrepute to the institutions that honored them.
- Learning about the revocation of honorary degrees can serve as a cautionary tale in sports, showing that consequences can arise from actions that contradict the values and standards set by institutions.
