Recognition of Academic Degrees and Fellowships
The Augustan Society, Inc., being a scholarly organization, should properly recognize the achievements of scholars within our ranks such as academic degrees and fellowships in learned societies, using postnominals and honorifics as appropriate.
That said, some review of such should be made to ensure we are not unintentionally endorsing organizations or schools of questionable reputation, and thus tarnishing our own.
Slight variations of procedure are appropriate for various honors:
Contents
Academic Degrees
Headquarters Staff will request of the petitioner a copy or scan of their diploma. That received, they will then investigate the granting college or university to see that it is appropriately accredited. This step may be omitted for schools well recognized. Recognition will consist of the use of postnominals (i.e.: BA, MA, PhD) and titles (i.e.: Dr.), and notification of such by the same means as the petition was received (email or mail).
Professorships
Headquarters Staff will request of the petitioner information on the school granting his professorship, and if appropriate, the URL for the school's website. They will then check the website to verify that the individual is on staff with that rank. When this cannot be determined from the website, other evidence will be requested and reviewed. Recognition will consist of the use of the title (i.e.: Prof. or Prof. Dr.), and notification of such by the same means as the petition was received (email or mail).
Fellowship in Known Societies
When the society in question is well known, Headquarters Staff will request of the petitioner a copy or scan of such documents as may attest to their status. They will then confirm that the society enjoys Royal patronage. Recognition will consist of the use of postnominals (i.e.: FSA(Scot), FRS), and notification of same by the same means as the petition was received (email or mail).
Fellowship in Other Societies
When the society in question is not well know, Headquarters Staff will request of the petitioner a copy or scan of such documents as may attest to their status. They will then confirm that the society is active, accessible, and gather such sense of their reputation as may be possible. This data will then be submitted to the Board for a decision, which may take the form of amendments to these procedures.
Referrals and Appeals
Headquarters Staff may refer any such petition to the Board for further review whenever the correct course of action is not obvious to them. They are encouraged to err in the direction of asking for such support.
Petitioners unhappy with the decisions of Headquarters Staff may appeal such to the Board, and Headquarters Staff will provide all appropriate support and courtesy to the petitioner and support to the Board in such events. Normally, Headquarters Staff will notify the petitioner of the decision of the Board, but there may be times — especially when tempers have grown heated or the argument personal — that it may be appropriate for an officer of the Society to make the notification.
