Honorary Degree Policies and Procedures

Each spring, the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty sends a notice to all university employees and the UW System Board of Regents inviting preliminary nominations of candidates for UW-Madison honorary degrees with an April 15 deadline for submission. The preliminary nomination requires:

1. A one to two-page letter documenting the nominee’s extraordinary contributions to a field or profession, and to society, and
2. The nominee’s curriculum vitae, or in its absence, information about the nominee ordinarily presented in a curriculum vitae.
3. The name of the sponsoring academic unit(s) or in its absence, a list of up to three UW–Madison academic units that might be able to sponsor the nomination. Nominations chosen to move to the second stage of consideration will require a sponsoring academic unit(s).

Self-nominations are not accepted.

Due to the need for confidentiality, outside letters of support should not be requested for the preliminary nomination.

Submission of a nomination does not ensure its successful outcome. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that potential candidates NOT be informed that a nomination is under consideration. Strict confidentiality of a nomination protects the nominating unit and the university from a nominee’s disappointment should a candidacy not advance.

The committee evaluates and votes on the preliminary nominations, and where in the judgment of the committee the documentation reflects significant prospects for success, the nominator is invited to assemble a second-stage nomination. The committee may ask that the nominator respond to specific points or questions to help fully inform the committee’s decision.

Per the Standards for Honorary Degrees policy, the support of an academic unit is required for a second-stage nomination and is essential to the success of a nomination, especially when the nominee’s accomplishments reflect the values and interests of the unit. The nominating unit must be willing and able to invest the time and effort required to submit a complete and persuasive proposal. Whenever possible, the nominating unit should seek co-sponsorship from another academic unit that can further provide context to the significance of the nominee. Often the faculties of two or more academic units collaborate in endorsing a nomination. Nominations originating from any source other than an academic unit (typically a department, school or college) will be referred by the chair of the Committee on Honorary Degrees to an appropriate department, school or college for recommendation.

The second-stage nomination should illuminate and fully document the distinguished and sustained achievements of the candidate including the individual’s record of excellence, innovation, and previous awards and recognitions. The key to a successful nomination is not the size of the dossier, but convincing evidence of the candidate’s extraordinary accomplishments.

The second-stage nomination requires:

1. A cover letter or essay (approximately three to five pages) that presents the case in a manner that can be appreciated by non-specialists. This should include the vote of the sponsoring unit(s) in support of the nomination and concrete responses to any questions from the Committee on Honorary Degrees.
2. Nominee’s curriculum vitae, or in its absence, information about the nominee ordinarily presented in a curriculum vitae.
3. Letters of support from academic units and from other persons prominent in the candidate’s field, who may include but must go beyond UW-Madison faculty. Up to five letters may be included, with at least two from outside of UW-Madison. Letters from referees should specifically address the basis on which the candidate is being nominated and evaluate the significance of the candidate’s accomplishments and contributions.
4. Documentary evidence of the impact of the nominee’s career.
5. A 100-word abstract and a suggested degree title (e.g., Doctor of Laws (LL.D.), Doctor of Science (SC.D.), Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.), Doctor of Literature (D.Lit. or D.Litt.)).

A brief background video from the nominator will also be requested to round out the second-stage nomination.

Second-stage nominations, if requested, are due in advance of the committee’s fall meeting. Each member of the committee receives the nominations in advance of that meeting.

Second-stage nominating units are invited to send representatives to the committee’s fall meeting to testify on behalf of the nominees and answer questions from committee members. Following the testimony of these representatives, the committee discusses and votes on the nominations. See the Committee on Honorary Degree procedures and references below for additional information.

In April or May, a CHD orientation meeting is held to review UW System and UW-Madison policies and procedures, and to vote on updates if needed.

Preliminary nominations are due to the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty (OSoF) by April 15 of each year. The deputy secretary of the faculty compiles nominations for the committee, and conducts additional research on nominees.

In May, the CHD asynchronously evaluates and provides commentary on preliminary nominations, and votes on preliminary nominations to advance to the second stage of nominations. Votes are based on the individual merits of each nomination; nominations are not ranked. Advanced nominations should reflect significant prospects for success. The committee may ask nominators to respond to specific points or questions to help inform nominations.

The deputy secretary of the faculty notifies nominators of the CHD decisions. For advancing nominations, the deputy secretary requests a second-stage nomination, with a recorded video presentation, from the nominators, due in August.

The deputy secretary of the faculty compiles second-stage nominations for the committee, and conducts internet research on nominees for consideration by the CHD. The deputy secretary of the faculty also sends a call to the CHD for additional commentary or information on nominees to be shared for consideration. Other information may come to light about a nominee without enough advance notice for the committee to consider at the regular fall meeting and the chair may ask that an additional meeting be scheduled to fully discuss the implications.

In fall, often September, a 90-minute CHD meeting is held for testimony from nominating units, and a full committee discussion of and vote on second-stage nomination materials. Proxy members (besides those designated at the start of the membership term) are not permitted.

At the meeting, the chair will ask if there are any conflicts of interest. There are likely few conflicts of interest or reason for recusal that would affect a committee member’s vote on an honorary degree nominee. A committee member should not vote nor be part of the discussion if:

• The nominee is a spouse or other close family member
• The committee member had a strong hand in preparing the dossier

If the nominating unit is also the committee member’s, they should declare the potential conflict, but they may participate in the discussion and vote at their discretion.

After testimony from nominating units and discussion/deliberation, the CHD members cast written ballots to determine which candidates should be recommended and the degree appropriate for each candidate being endorsed. Votes are based on the individual merits of each nomination; nominations are not ranked. The committee aims to recommend one to five honorary degrees for spring commencement. All discussions of nominees are conducted in executive session. Robert’s Rules of Order inform the committee’s parliamentary proceedings.

The CHD recommendations go to the chancellor, UW System Board of Regents (October or November), and Faculty Senate (December) for next steps. See Standards for Honorary Degrees for additional information.

Timeline for determining honorary degree process:

1. March: OSoF sends the call for nominations
2. April 15: Preliminary nominations deadline
3. May: CHD asynchronously evaluates and votes on advancing nominations
   • OSoF conducts internet research on the nominees from various sources
4. Late August: Second-stage nomination deadline (for advanced nominations)
   • OSoF conducts internet research on the nominees from various sources
5. September: CHD meets to hear from department and to discuss and vote on nominations
   • The CHD must have quorum; simple majority approval by those present will advance the nomination
6. September/October: CHD/OSoF sends recommendation(s) to the chancellor
   • Background check
7. September/October: The chancellor’s sends recommendation(s) sent to the Board of Regents for their October or November meeting
   • Background check
8. December: Nominations left standing are presented to the Faculty Senate for a vote
   • Only senators may vote; ¾ affirmative votes of those present required for confirmation
9. December: Invitations are sent to approved nominees to attend spring commencement
   • Recipients must be present to accept
10. May: Commencement and award is bestowed