Charge
The Committee on University Honors is an advisory body that generates, discusses, and reviews nominations regarding honorary degrees and provides counsel to the Provost and President. Honorary degrees must be approved by the Board of Trustees.
Each year the committee should invite all members of the Marquette community (faculty, students, and staff) to submit nominations for honorary degrees in three categories:
- High profile individuals who could serve as the commencement speaker;
- Individuals who have distinguished themselves as an academic and/or intellectual; and,
- Individuals who have distinguished themselves in public and/or community service to our community and/or our larger society.
A goal for the committee is to recommend at least three candidates in each of the three categories listed above to the Provost and President for their consideration. The committee does not simply react to nominations received; the committee generates nominations in addition to discussing nominations received from the Marquette community. In order to accomplish this, the committee will need to meet several times throughout the year.
From time to time the President or Provost may ask the committee to provide recommendations regarding nominees that he/she would like to bring to the Board of Trustees. These nominees may be time sensitive and may require the committee to meet either in person or electronically with short notice.
In undertaking its work the committee should be mindful that Marquette University does not discriminate in any manner contrary to law or justice on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran’s status, or national origin.
In all cases there should be an appropriateness of the nominees to the mission of Marquette. Since honorary degrees are not awarded in absentia or posthumously, it is also helpful to know that if an invitation is offered, this nominee will be likely to accept. Nominees who are alumni/alumnae of Marquette and/or have a connection to Marquette are more likely to be awarded an honorary degree.
In undertaking its work the committee should not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. To put it another way, all human beings have flaws, and members of the committee should appreciate the realities of the human condition.
The committee shall be comprised of:
- 5 faculty members (Committee on Committees and Elections selected/appointed by Provost);
- 1 undergraduate student (MUSG selected/appointed by Vice President for Student Affairs);
- 1 academic staff member (appointed by Provost);
- 1 alumnus/alumna (appointed by Provost);
- 1 community representative (appointed by Provost);
- The Vice President for Mission and Ministry or an individual reporting to the Vice President for Mission and Ministry (appointed by the President);
- A librarian to research nominations (ex-officio).
Terms are for 3 years with the exception of the undergraduate student, who serves for a 1 year term. |
