SELECTION & CONFERMENT

Honorary Degrees Committee

The Registrar must refer such proposals to the Honorary Degrees Committee, which consists of the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (T&L), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (RPI) , Deans, members of Council on Senate and three members of Senate appointed by Senate.

Senate

(i) The names of the candidates recommended by the Honorary Degrees Committee shall be submitted to Senate, accompanied by the curriculum vitae (“CV”) of the candidates and an appropriate statement describing the reasons for the proposal.

(ii) Without discussion of the candidates or their CVs, Senate shall vote by way of a secret ballot on the conferment or not of an honorary degree on the candidate.

(iii)The chairperson of Senate shall have an ordinary vote on each resolution and, in the case of an equality of votes, a casting vote.

 Council

(i) The name(s) of the candidate(s) who obtained an ordinary majority of the votes of the members of Senate present at the meeting shall be submitted to Council.

(ii) Without discussing the candidate, Council shall vote by way of a secret ballot on the candidate(s) recommended by Senate, provided that Council shall not discuss the candidates or their CVs or consider any proposal not supported by Senate.

Conferment of Honorary Degrees

(i) The Registrar shall write to awardees approved by Council, informing them of the decision to confer an honorary degree upon them. Thereafter, in consultation with the relevant Faculty under which the honorary degree falls, the Registrar shall make the necessary logistical and other arrangements.

(ii) Honorary degrees shall be conferred during ordinary graduation ceremonies constituted for the awarding of qualifications.

(iii)Where a candidate does not accept an honorary degree, the nomination shall be deemed to have lapsed, and the honorary degree will not be conferred.

 Confidentiality

Care should be taken to ensure strict confidentiality at all stages of the honorary degree process. In particular, there should be no communication with prospective degree recipients regarding a likely degree until after the University Council has approved the award, and then, only through the University Registrar.