Intent

This procedure details the procedure for the granting of Honorary Awards of James Cook University.

Scope

This procedure applies to members of convocation who wish to nominate a person for an Honorary Award of the University.

Definitions

The definitions used in this policy are found in the: Glossary of Terms for Policies in the Student and Teaching & Course Management chapters of the Policy Library

Honoris causa – a degree awarded without examination, as a mark of esteem

Honorary – bestowed as an honour, without the usual requirements or functions

Introduction

The categories of Honorary Awards of the University are:

• Honorary Doctor of the University (HonDUniv)
• Honorary Doctorate
• Fellow of the University (Fellow JCU)
• Honorary Doctorate honoris causa

Appendix 1 provides the names of degrees available within each category.

Procedure

1. Honorary Award Nomination

a.  Identification of Potential Recipients

• The Marketing Directorate liaise with relevant stakeholders to identify potential recipients of honorary awards. The Awards and Ceremonies Committee consider preliminary information on potential recipients and recommends whether a full proposal should be developed.
• In respect of seeking and facilitating the development of nominations for an Honorary Award of the University, the overall balance based on community standards and the University's equity policies, and that the prime focus for searching should be based on the regions of northern Queensland and/or Singapore or people who have links with either region, but which is not necessarily limited to the those regions.

b.  Criteria to address in a proposal for an Honorary Award 

Honorary Doctor of the University

Factors to be taken into consideration for the Award of an Honorary Doctor of the University:

• service that an individual has rendered to the University which is of an exceptional or exemplary nature which has significantly contributed toward the advancement of the University's well-being or reputation;
• the length of time the nominee has been involved with, contributed to, or employed by, the University in a senior capacity, and
• have upheld the principles and values of professional behaviour outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

Honorary Doctorate

Factors to be taken into consideration for the award of an honorary Doctorate include one or more of the following:

• outstanding service or distinguished public contribution to the northern Queensland and/or Singaporean communities;
• exceptional service which an individual has rendered to the University, comprising either academic excellence, distinguished creative achievement or the exercise of outstanding leadership;
• exceptional contributions beyond the expectations of the nominee’s particular field of endeavour, which have influenced the thinking or general well-being of humanity; and
• have upheld the principles and values of professional behaviour outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

Fellow of the University

Factors to be taken into consideration for the Award of a Fellow of the University include one or more of the following:

• significant service to the northern Queensland and/or Singaporean communities;
• significant service which an individual has rendered to the University;
• significant contributions to the advancement of human well-being; and
• have upheld the principles and values of professional behaviour outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

Other factors that may be taken into account:

• significant support for the improvement of the University;
• major contributions toward activities resulting in the significant development or promotion of the University.

Degree Honoris Causa

Factors to be taken into consideration for the award of a degree honoris causa:

• exceptional achievement and academic eminence in a field of study or discipline offered by the University;
• as well as recognizing normally either outstanding service which an individual has rendered to the University beyond the level customarily expected in the execution of the person's duties; or
• exceptional contributions to the advancement of human well-being; and
• have upheld the principles and values of professional behaviour outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

c.  Submission of a Proposal for an Honorary Award

A proposal for an Honorary Award shall be made in writing to the Vice Chancellor, shall be signed by not fewer than three members of Convocation and shall include:

• the full name and address of the person nominated for the award;
• the Honorary Award which is proposed;
• a detailed statement of the reasons why the award should be made which addresses the criteria (in 1.b above) relevant to the Honorary Award being proposed.

On receipt of the proposal, the Vice Chancellor shall:

• make an initial determination of the extent to which the proposal meets the criteria specified for the honorary award being proposed; and
• refer that determination to the Awards and Ceremonies Committee, together with any other comments in relation to the overall merits of the proposal.

The Vice Chancellor may make written and/or oral submissions to the Committee regarding any propopsal for the bestowal of an honorary award of the University.

d.  Approval of a Proposal for an Honorary Award

The Awards and Ceremonies Committee will consider, and if appropriate, endorse proposals for honorary awards.

In respect of proposals for Honorary Doctor of the University, and Honorary Doctorate or a Fellow of the University, the Committee can:

• conduct any investigation as it deems necessary to identify any known reasons why the proposed Honorary Award should not be made
• decide, relative to the criteria in Clause 1.b) above:
  • whether, in its opinion, an Honorary Award should be made; and
  • if so, whether the Honorary Award proposed is the appropriate one and, if not, which Honorary Award should be made;
• subject to its decision under this clause being in the affirmative, consult the relevant Deputy Vice Chancellor concerning the appropriateness of the award of an Honorary Award.

In respect of proposals for the awarding of a degree honoris causa, the Committee can:

• conduct any investigation as it deems necessary to identify any known reasons why the proposed Honorary Award should not be made;
• decide, relative to the criteria in Clause 1.2 above:
  • whether, in its opinion, a degree honoris causa should be be made; and
  • if so, whether the degree proposed is the appropriate one and, if not, which higher doctorate degree should be made;
• subject to its decision under this clause being in the affirmative, obtain and take account of the opinion of a scholar or scholars outside the University on whether the proposal has satisfied the primary criteria.

If the Committee believes the proposed award is appropriate and justified it will then seek the views of Council members in confidence in relation to any known reasons why the proposed Honorary Award should not be made and in the absence of any reasons shall submit the Committee report and recommendations to Council for approval.

If reasons why an Honorary Award shall not be made are submitted then the Committee will further consider the nomination in the light of any additional information provided by members of Council.

If the Committee then decides that the proposed Honorary Award remains appropriate, the Committee shall submit its report and recommendations to Council for approval.

The awarding of an Honorary Award shall be approved by the University Council.

2.  Special Considerations

A person nominated for an Honorary Award shall not be consulted beforehand, nor at any time prior to the Council's decision on the proposal, and all deliberations, investigations and recommendations relating to the nomination shall be treated as strictly confidential by all persons concerned therewith.

The names of those nominees approved by Council are released only after they have accepted the Council’s offer of award.

All Honorary Awards will be awarded at a graduation ceremony of the University.

The bestowal of an honorary award shall be evidenced by a testamur issued under the Seal of the University.

The bestowal of any honorary award of the University shall entitle the recipient membership of Convocation and to the right to wear the Academic Dress approved for that Honorary Award.

Other than in exceptional circumstances of which the Council shall be the sole judge, an Honorary Degree shall not be approved in respect of any person at a time when such person is a member of the staff or a member of a College or a member of Council or holds a remunerated adjunct appointment at the University.

An adjunct appointee remunerated to the level which substantially equates to the salary of a member of staff would receive in performing the same duties, shall not be eligible to receive an honorary award.

Only in exceptional circumstances shall an Honorary Award be:

• awarded in absentia;
• awarded posthumously;
• awarded to politicians in office with a direct influence on the operations of the University; or
• awarded to members of the community with a current pecuniary interest in the University.

In any consideration of a proposal for an Honorary Award, financial contributions or endowments to the University may be taken into account, but such contributions or endowments will never alone be a sufficient basis for the award of an Honorary Award.

3.  Notification

If Council resolves to grant an Honorary Award, a formal letter of offer will be made to the recipient by the Vice Chancellor.

The University Secretary will also advise the University’s Ceremonies Officer of the names of recipients so that arrangements can be made for formal awarding of the honorary title(s) at an appropriate graduation ceremony.

The Secretariat will inform the nominators of the outcome of their proposal for an Honorary Award.

Related policy instruments

Award Finalisation and Graduation Policy

Schedules/Appendices

Appendix 1 – Names Available for Honorary Awards

All of the above degrees can be conferred honoris causa

Administration

Approval Details

Revision History