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University Honours Committee

Terms of Reference and Membership 2024-25

Constitution

The Board of Governors has established a Sub-Committee of the Board called the University Honours Committee. The role of the Honours Committee is to ensure, on behalf of the Board of Governors, that the Board has oversight of the honorary awards framework and process.

Membership

  • Up to four Independent Governors, one of whom shall be Chair
  • Vice Chancellor (as representative of Academic Board)
  • One member of Academic Board, nominated by the Vice Chancellor
  • Staff Governor
  • Student Governor

Honorary awards are made jointly in the name of the Academic Board and the Board of Governors. The Committee is quorate if at least three members are present, with at least one from each aforementioned senior represented body.

Attendance at Meetings

The following invites will attend the meetings of the Committee:

  • Head of Legal and Compliance Services/Secretary to the Board
  • Head of Alumni and Stakeholder Relations

Frequency of Meetings

Meetings will be scheduled twice each academic year typically in January and July.

Authority

The Committee is authorised by the Board of Governors to investigate any activity within its duties. It is authorised to seek any such information it requires from any employee, and all employees are directed to co-operate with any request made by the Committee. The Committee and its members are subject to the Standing Orders of the Board of Governors in respect of all aspects of the Committee’s operation.

The Group will review its Terms of Reference at least every four years. Amendment of the Terms of Reference requires approval of the Board of Governors.

Duties

The Honours Committee has the following responsibilities:

  • To scrutinise and decide on nominations for honours on behalf of the Board of Governors and Academic Board.
  • To approve the addition of new award titles within the honorary framework.
  • To recommend any major changes to the honorary awards framework to the Board of Governors and Academic Board for approval.

Reporting Procedures

The minutes of meetings of the Committee will be circulated to all members of the Board of Governors.

Officering Arrangements

A member of the Governance Team will undertake the role of Officer to this Committee.

 

(The University Honours Committee Terms of Reference was approved on 27 March 2025)

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