Senate Honorary Awards Committee

Establishment of Senate Honorary Awards Committee

1. The University’s Senate is the governing authority of the University established under the University of Queensland Act 1998. The Act permits Senate to delegate its powers underthe Act to an appropriately qualified Committee that includes one or more members of Senate.

2. Senate has established an Honorary Awards Committee as a Committee of Senate.

Role of the Committee

3. The role of the Committee is to support and advise Senate in exercising its oversight in relation to the matters set out in these terms of reference. The establishment of this Committee does not relieve Senate of its responsibility for these matters.

4. The Committee considers nominations for honorary awards. The outcome may be:

1. for the Committee to recommend the nomination to Senate for approval
2. to decline the nomination
3. to refer the nomination back to the nominator for further information.

Responsibilities of the Committee

5. To periodically call for nominations in accordance with the Honorary Awards Policy and Procedures.

6. To consider nominations and, by way of a majority of votes, recommend such awards to Senate for approval.

7. To periodically review the Honorary Awards Policy and make recommendations to Senate for its amendment.

Power of the Committee

8. The Committee has no delegated authority other than to provide the first line of oversight for Senate on matters set out in these terms of reference. Accordingly, the Committee may only make recommendations to Senate.

9. The Committee will work closely with the Vice-President (Advancement and Community Engagement) who is responsible for managing the nomination process for honorary awards, including the calling for nominations, approving the nomination form and ensuring that the Honorary Awards Committee has sufficient information to consider nominations.

Structure and Membership of the Committee

10. Membership:

• Chancellor (Chair)
• Deputy Chancellor
• Vice-Chancellor and President
• President, Academic Board
• Three Senate Members nominated by the Chancellor.

In attendance:

• Vice-President (Advancement and Community Engagement).

11. Term of appointment

The term of appointment of a Member is up to four years, and may be renewed. Appointment terms should be staggered to ensure continuity of membership.

12. Responsibilities of Members

12.1 Under the Conflict of Interest Policy, Members need to ensure that any conflict of interest issue is avoided, resolved or appropriately managed in accordance with this Policy.

12.2 Members are required to comply with the University’s Code of Conduct, particularly the confidentiality requirements.

Operation of the Committee

13. The Honorary Awards Committee will normally meet as required.

14. Secretariat support is provided by the Office of the Vice-President (Advancement and Community Engagement).

15. The format of the agenda and minutes should be consistent with those produced for Senate meetings.

16. The agenda papers should be distributed at least a week before the meeting.

17. Members of the Committee may participate in the meeting by way of audio-visual technology.

18. The quorum for meetings is a majority of Committee Members.

19. The Terms of Reference of the Committee and the functioning of the Committee should be subject to regular review by Senate, including self-assessment by the Committee every two years, to ensure that it is operating effectively and fulfilling its functions.

*As on 3 December 2024