How the U of W lays out the process for conferring honorary degrees

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This article was published 19/10/2010 (5466 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE process for approving HDs works as follows: Anyone from the university community and beyond can put forward a nomination to the corporate secretary. It is then reviewed and recommended by the honorary degrees committee of senate and then brought forward to the whole senate for approval. These discussions and decisions are held in camera. In the case of Mr. Toews’ nomination, both the committee and the senate voted unanimously to grant the degree among several others at its January 2010 meeting. The minutes from that meeting are posted online at the senate page, but again the approval for these degrees were held in closed session.

Here is an excerpt from the senate standing rules, with respect to the HD committee:

“Honorary Degrees and Fellowships Committee (18 members)

Chair of senate (Chair)

Vice-president (Academic) and provost

deans

four faculty members, one from each of the four areas

one representative of the Board of Regents (external regent)

one representative of the Alumni Association

Director of university events

one UW Students Association senator

Its duties are:

to receive nominations and to recommend recipients of honorary degrees;

to receive nominations and to recommend recipients for fellowships in The University of Winnipeg, for fellowships in United College, and for the title of Professor Emeritus;

to review and recommend policy relating to honorary degrees, fellowships, and professors emeriti.

U of W officials said that president Lloyd Axworthy and provincial cabinet minister Bill Blaikie were both honorary degree recipients while still MPs. Bill Norrie and Stephen Juba received honorary degrees while each was mayor of Winnipeg.

Meanwhile, the University of Manitoba has a policy against awarding honorary degrees to Canadian politicians currently holding office, said public affairs director John Danakas.

U of M seeks potential recipients from a broad range of people, both within and outside the university.

Anyone nominating a possible recipient must present documentation of special awards, distinguished service, and contribution of special accomplishments by the person, along with supporting letters from at least three other persons.

Recipients must also be able and willing to come to convocation to accept their honours, and any nominees must ultimately receive at least two-thirds approval by members of the U of M senate. While the selection is done behind closed doors, U of M’s lengthy process is spelled out in extensive detail at http://umanitoba.ca/admin/governance/governing_documents/community/259.htm.