Responsible officer: Vice-Chancellor
Designated officer: Vice-Chancellor
Approving authority: Council
Approval: 19 August 2008 (C08/64)
Last amended:
Effective starting date: 20 August 2008
Any policies replaced by this policy: Honorary Awards Policy
Policy number: G15.
Related policies: Academic Dress Policy
Due date for next review: 19 August 2013

Part A: Preliminary

1. Purpose of policy

This Policy makes provision for the conferral of honorary awards, which affords a special opportunity for the University of the Sunshine Coast to recognise persons of outstanding achievement.

Part B: Policy

2. Award categories

2.1 The University confers honorary awards in three categories:

Honorary Doctorate
An Honorary Doctorate may be awarded to a person in recognition of excellence and extraordinary achievement in a significant area of human endeavour. The degree awarded may be either Honorary Doctor of the University (DUniv) or an honorary doctorate in a specific field.

Honorary Senior Fellow
An award of Honorary Senior Fellow may be made to a person in recognition of a significant and sustained contribution to the development of the University or of the Sunshine Coast region.

Emeritus Professor
An award of the title Emeritus Professor may be made to recognise a Professor of the University who has rendered sustained and distinguished service to the University. An award of Emeritus Professor may only be made where the recipient of the award has retired or resigned from the University.

3. Approval and conferral of honorary awards

3.1 All honorary awards will be made on the approval of the University Council.

3.2 Honorary Doctorates and Honorary Senior Fellowships will be conferred at Graduation Ceremonies; these awards will only be made in absentia in exceptional circumstances.

3.3 The title of Emeritus Professor may be conferred at a Graduation Ceremony or at any other time, at the discretion of the Council.

4. Honorary Awards Committee

4.1 The Honorary Awards Committee will seek and consider nominations for honorary awards, and recommend to Council the conferral of honorary awards.

4.2 The University Council will determine the membership of the Honorary Awards Committee. The Committee will comprise:

• The Chancellor (Chair)
• The Vice-Chancellor
• The Deputy Vice-Chancellor
• Three members of Council

4.3 The period of office of appointed members will be their term of office on Council.

4.4 In making its recommendations, the Committee should attempt to reflect the cultural diversity of our region and the international character and diversity of the University itself. It should also attempt to honour those whose outstanding contributions to their fields or to society have not yet been widely recognised.

As the only university headquartered in this region, we have a special responsibility to acknowledge and honour persons of outstanding achievement who have significant ties to the Sunshine Coast region or its University, including those who have rendered distinguished service to the University as a Professor.

4.5 The Committee will also take into account the academic specialisations of the University in considering nominations.

4.6 The nominations made to and deliberations of the Committee must be treated as strictly confidential.

5. Nominees

5.1 Honorary awards may not be made to candidates for political office in Australia, elected officials currently in office, current members of staff, or current members of University Council. Retired or former staff members must meet the same high standards for nomination as all other honorary award candidates.

6. Privileges

6.1 Holders of honorary awards shall be entitled to the following privileges:

• Participation in the University’s academic procession

• Participation in special events such as those run through the University Foundation

• Receipt, at no charge, of University publications

• Use of the University Library

• Listing in the University Handbook and

• Such other privileges as may be determined by the Vice-Chancellor from time to time.