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Honorary and Distinguished Awards and Appointments Rule

This is not a current document. It has been repealed and is no longer in force.

Section 1 - Overview

This Rule lists the forms, which the University of New England can utilize to recognise outstanding achievement and/or to reward service to the University and the community at local, national and international levels.
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Section 2 - Scope

This Rule applies to awards granted under the direct authority of the Council and/or Vice-Chancellor and does not include academic merit awards granted by the Council on recommendation of the Academic Board. This Rule does not include adjunct or honorary academic appointments that are used to enlist academic staff in honorary appointments to help the University fulfil its aims in teaching and research.
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Section 3 - Rule

Awards for distinguished service and/or academic eminence are:

Doctor of Letters or Doctor of Science honoris causa

(1) The University confers an Honorary Doctorate to recognise a person who has:

  1. made an outstanding contribution to their chosen field resulting in academic eminence; and/or
  2. given distinguished public service to the University, to the community in Armidale, the New England Region, the state of New South Wales, Australia and/or internationally.

(2) The Honorary Degrees, Titles and Tributes Committee through the University Secretariat is responsible for administration of the award.

(3) The award is made at a Graduation ceremony and the recipient may be invited to address the assembly.

(4) Detailed eligibility criteria and award procedures are found in the Honorary Doctorates policy.

Distinguished Service Medal

(5) The University awards the Distinguished Service Medal to recognise a member of the General Staff who has made an outstanding commitment to service in the University or displayed an outstanding application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication in the service of the University, normally over a considerable period of time.

(6) The Medal is the highest award offered by the University to its General Staff members and may be considered similar in status to an honorary doctorate awarded to a distinguished member of the Academic Staff.

(7) The Medal is separate from the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence, and is awarded for achievements, that in the view of the University are above and beyond those that merit a Vice-Chancellor's Award.

  1. The Honorary Degrees, Titles and Tributes Committee through the University Secretariat is responsible for administration of the award.
  2. The award is made at a Graduation ceremony and the recipient may be invited to address the assembly.
  3. Detailed eligibility criteria and award procedures are found in the Distinguished Service Medal policy.

Fellow of the University of New England

(8) The University awards a Fellowship of the University to recognise a person who has demonstrated outstanding support of the interests and welfare of the University.

  1. The Honorary Degrees, Titles and Tributes Committee through the University Secretariat is responsible for administration of the award.
  2. The award is made at a Graduation ceremony and the recipient may be invited to address the assembly.
  3. Detailed eligibility criteria and award procedures are located at Honorary and Distinguished Awards Framework policy.

Distinguished Graduate Fellow of the University

(9) The University awards a Distinguished Graduate Fellowship of the University to recognise distinguished graduates of the University (including its antecedent institutions) who have a continuing association with the University.

  1. The Honorary Degrees, Titles and Tributes Committee through the University Secretariat is responsible for administration of the award.
  2. The award is made at a Graduation ceremony and the recipient may be invited to address the Congregation.
  3. Detailed eligibility criteria and award procedures are located at Honorary and Distinguished Awards Framework policy.

Distinguished Alumni Award

(10) The University awards a Distinguished Alumni Award to a UNE graduate to recognise that an individual has displayed outstanding leadership, professional and human qualities, and/or made a distinguished contribution to the nominee's profession, business and/or community at local, national and/or international levels.

  1. The Office for Advancement is responsible for administration of the award.
  2. The award is made at an Alumni event or ceremony.
  3. Detailed eligibility criteria and award procedures are located at Alumni Award Criteria.

Young Distinguished Alumni Award

(11) The University awards a Young Distinguished Alumni Award to a UNE graduate, aged 30 years or younger in the year of award, who demonstrates outstanding professional achievements and/or community involvement likely to be an inspiration to the next generation of graduates and the community at large.

  1. The Office for Advancement is responsible for administration of the award.
  2. The award is made at a Spring Graduation ceremony and the recipient may be invited to address the Congregation.
  3. Detailed eligibility criteria and award procedures are located at Alumni Award Criteria.

Emeritus Professor

(12) The University appoints an Emeritus Professor to recognise a retiring or resigning Professor (Academic Level E) who has made a significant contribution to the University. With the agreement of the appropriate Head of School, the appointee will be provided with continuing access to the University's facilities for the conduct of research, higher degree research student supervision, scholarship and teaching.

  1. The Honorary Degrees, Titles and Tributes Committee through the Directorate of Human Resources is responsible for administration of the award.
  2. The award is made by letter through the Human Resources Directorate.
  3. Detailed eligibility criteria and award procedures are located at Emeritus Professor Appointments.

Vice-Chancellor's Service awards

(13) The Vice-Chancellor confers the following discretionary awards on members of the University's general and academic staff who have made outstanding contributions to the University:

  1. Vice-Chancellor's Award for Service (General Staff)
  2. Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching (Academic Staff)
  3. Vice-Chancellor's Award for Research Achievement (Academic Staff)

(14) The Vice-Chancellor's Unit is responsible for administration of the award.

(15) The award of (a) is made at an appropriate ceremony determined by the Vice-Chancellor.

(16) The awards of (b) and (c) are made at an appropriate ceremony or at a Graduation ceremony as determined by the Vice-Chancellor.

(17) Detailed eligibility criteria and award procedures are located at Honorary and Distinguished Awards Procedures.