University Procedure
Title
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Procedure on Honorary Degrees and Distinguished Alumni Awards
Introduction
Purpose
Pursuant to the Board of Trustees’ Regulation on Honorary Degrees, Awards and Distinctions (“Regulation”), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (“UNC-Chapel Hill” or “University”) will confer Honorary Degrees (HDs) and Distinguished Alumni Awards (DAAs) on individuals who have been nominated by members of the University Community, reviewed by the Faculty Council, and approved by the Board of Trustees (BOT). This Procedure outlines the University’s selection process for choosing future honorees.
Scope
This Procedure applies to the University Community.
Procedure
Committee Appointment and Term
A Joint Nominations Working Group (“JNWG”) will be established, consisting of both BOT members and faculty members. The BOT Chair will appoint three BOT members, and the Chair of the Faculty will appoint three faculty to serve on the JNWG.
Each member will serve a two-year term, with half of the membership being replaced every year to ensure the JNWG maintains sufficient institutional knowledge.
- In odd years, the committee will replace two BOT appointees and one faculty appointee.
- In even years, the committee will replace one BOT appointee and two faculty appointees.
The initial JNWG will consist of two BOT appointees and one faculty appointee for initial one-year terms, and one BOT appointee and two faculty appointees for standard two-year terms.
Each member may be appointed to serve two consecutive terms but may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Partial terms count towards the two-term limits.
The JNWG members will select two co-chairs (one BOT member and one faculty member) annually through a majority vote. Co-chairs will be selected annually from among the JNWG members and may be re-selected for additional one-year terms, subject to their overall JNWG term limits. Co-chairs will be responsible for assisting in the preparation of all JNWG reports and otherwise presiding over JNWG meetings and business.
At least one faculty JNWG member will also serve on the Faculty Honorary Degrees and Special Awards Committee (HDSA) as discussed below. At least one BOT JNWG member will serve on the BOT Awards Committee (AC) also as discussed below. The Chancellor’s Office, Office of Faculty Governance, and BOT Office of the Assistant Secretary will coordinate appointments as needed to ensure this overlapping membership is maintained each year.
The Office of the Secretary will provide staff to support the JNWG's administrative needs.
Nomination Submission
Members of the University Community are encouraged to submit nominations for HDs and DAAs through an online portal to the Chancellor’s Office through the Office of the Secretary. The link to the portal is located in multiple websites and in the “Contact Information” section of this Procedure.
Nomination forms (see addendum A) for both awards will be available on the BOT, University, Office of Faculty Governance, and Carolina Alumni websites. Completed forms will automatically be uploaded to a central, secure portal.
Nomination Review Process
Initial Screening for Eligibility
The JNWG will review all:
- DAA nominations each June, and
- HD nominations each January.
The JNWG will use a rubric to assess each nominee’s eligibility and qualifications. The JNWG may contact the nominator as needed for additional information to ensure each nomination is considered adequately.
The JNWG will add all properly nominated and eligible individuals to an Eligible List of nominees, which the Office of the Secretary will maintain.
The BOT Assistant Secretary will maintain the Eligible List of nominees for HDs and DAAs. Candidates’ names will remain on the Eligible List for a period of five years in accordance with the BOT Regulation, until they become ineligible as described in the Trustees’ Regulation on Honorary Degrees, Awards and Distinctions, or until they are selected for an HD or DAA.
Selection Screening for Initial Slate of Nominees
The JNWG will:
- Annually review all past and new individuals on the Eligible List.
- DAA nominations will be considered each July, and
- HD nominations will be considered each February.
- Use a rubric (Addendum B) to evaluate eligible individuals.
- Each member will submit their evaluation to a portal for inclusion in a summary report.
- Consider the summary report and the nomination forms.
- Select up to five individuals to comprise the Initial Slate of nominees. The commencement speaker may or may not be added as a sixth nominee to the Initial Slate without a formal nomination.
- Forward the Initial Slate of eligible nominees to HDSA for further review.
- After HDSA review, finalize the Reviewed Selection Slate based on HDSA feedback.
- HDSA then presents the Reviewed Selection Slate to Faculty Council.
Faculty Governance Review
Honorary Degrees and Special Awards Committee (HDSA)
The Faculty Code of University Government § 4-11 establishes the Faculty HDSA Committee.
The HDSA will:
- Review all individuals on the Initial Slate.
- DAA nominations will be considered each September.
- HD nominations will be considered each March.
- Discuss the Initial Slate of nominees and provide feedback to JNWG.
- Consult with JNWG to create the Reviewed Selection Slate.
- Present the Reviewed Selection Slate to the full Faculty Council.
Full Faculty Council
The Faculty Council will vote on the Reviewed Selection Slate of nominees to determine the level of endorsement for each nominee.
- DAA nominations will be voted on each October.
- HD nominations will be voted on each April.
During the Faculty Council vote, the HDSA will record each vote.
Following the full Faculty Council vote, the HDSA will:
- Prepare a summary report including:
- HDSA feedback, and
- Faculty vote tallies.
- Forward the summary report to the BOT Awards Committee for further consideration.
BOT Review
Awards Committee (AC)
The BOT Chair will establish an AC annually, at or before the September BOT Meeting. The AC should be comprised of at least one BOT delegate from the JNWG and up to four additional Trustees.
The AC will:
- Review all individuals on the Reviewed Selection Slate and the HDSA summary report.
- DAA nominations will be considered each October/November.
- HD nominations will be considered each April/May.
- Compile a Final Slate of nominees for further consideration.
- Present the Final Slate of nominees to the full BOT including any HDSA, Faculty Council, and AC feedback.
Full BOT
The full BOT will:
- Consider only candidates on the Final Slate as presented by the AC.
- Vote on which nominees should be approved.
- DAAs will be voted on at each November BOT meeting.
- HDs will be voted on at each May BOT meeting.
Candidates who receive a simple majority of votes by the BOT will be awarded the honor.
Selection of Award Recipients
The University may award up to five HDs or DAAs per year as described in the Trustees’ Regulation on Honorary Degrees, Awards and Distinctions.
- DAAs are awarded at the University Day, or another appropriate time.
- HDs are awarded at the May commencement.
One additional HD may be awarded to the Spring Commencement Speaker.
Communication with Award Recipients
Only after the Board of Trustees has approved the Final Slate to receive an HD or DAA will the recipient be notified of their selection for an award the following year.
The Chancellor will contact the chosen recipients in May/June for HDs and in November/December for DAAs.
Publicity
Once the recipient agrees to participate in the ceremony to receive the award, the University and BOT may publicize the future honorees.
Revocation of Honorary Degree, Award, or Distinction
An HD or DAA may be revoked in rare situations as described in the Trustees’ Regulation on Honorary Degrees, Awards and Distinctions.
Visualization of the HD and DAA Selection Process
Related Requirements
External Regulations
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Name: Chris McClure, BOT Assistant Secretary
Email: chris_mcclure@unc.edu
Website: Distinguished Alumna/Alumnus Award and Honorary Degrees