The College may wish to award Honorary Degrees to recognize extraordinary individuals who have achieved significant accomplishments or have made an outstanding impact or contribution to the College, their profession or discipline, the community, or society in Canada or elsewhere in the world. This procedure outlines criteria for awarding Honorary Degrees at Conestoga College, including the eligibility requirements and process for nomination, selection, approval, and rescinding of Honorary Degrees. 

Conestoga College maintains a glossary of terms specific to the institution. The ones in use for this document are defined below.

President’s Office 

Institutional Strategy & Engagement  

Corporate Communications 

Honorary Degree Selection Committee  

1.      Authority:

1. The President shall approve the awarding of Conestoga's Honorary Degrees.
2. The President shall establish an Honorary Degree Selection Committee to oversee the nomination process. 
   

2.      Criteria & Eligibility:

1. Nominees should be exceptional individuals who meet one or more of the criteria listed below:
1. made a significant contribution to society;
2. achieved noted accomplishments in a particular field of study, or
3. enhanced or promoted Conestoga's image and reputation.
2. The following constraints will be in place:
1. Active Employees (as defined by the policy), members of the Board of Conestoga, and students are not eligible.
2. An active politician should not be recommended for an Honorary Degree. Should there be exceptional circumstances based on the individual's accomplishments, length of service or contributions that are particularly relevant to Conestoga, there may be consideration to waive this provision.
3. Posthumous Honorary Degrees will be considered. If a candidate passes away after accepting an invitation but prior to convocation, the honorary credential will be awarded to an individual designated by the recipient's family or other legal representative.
4. The College will not normally award Honorary Degrees to anyone who is not in a position to accept the degree in person.
5. All individuals involved in the nomination and selection process must ensure that they do not have a conflict of interest, real or perceived, with respect to any nomination. If the event that a conflict of interest does exist, this must be reported to the Selection Committee for consideration.
   

3.      Nominations of Honorary Degrees:

1. A call for nominations shall be made in the spring of each year.
2. Nominations may be submitted in writing by any member of the College Community using the Honorary Degree Nomination Form during the time of the call.
3. Submission instructions are indicated on the form and only complete nominations will be considered.
4. Confidentiality is to be maintained throughout the nomination and selection process. Nominators must keep the nomination confidential, including with the potential nominee. This protects the privacy of the individual and the College should the nomination not be accepted.
5. An individual may be re-nominated or resubmitted for approval.
   

4.      Selection of Honorary Degree Recipients:

1. Nominations are reviewed by the Honorary Degree Selection Committee using the established criteria.
2. The deliberations of the Committee shall be confidential, and all recommendations are held in strict confidence to protect the privacy of nominees.
3. Once vetted and evaluated by the Committee, the recommended slate of candidates for Honorary Degrees will be forwarded to the President for review and approval.
4. The College shall determine the appropriate timeframe and ceremony for the conferring of the Honorary Degree.
5. Approved nominations may be held for up to five years before being formally conferred.
6. The Committee will review the approved nominations annually.
7. Not all nominations are successful in any given year.
   

5.      Honorary Degree Notification:

1. The President's Office (or designate) will communicate with the successful nominees to invite them to receive an Honorary Degree at an upcoming Convocation.
2. When the recipient has accepted the honour, the office of Institutional Strategy & Engagement will complete the following:
1. Contact the recipient to confirm details and scheduling of the Honorary Degree.
2. Notify the nominator of the person who will be granted the Honorary Degree.
3. Notify the Convocation Committee.
4. Manage the experience of the recipient. 
5. Work with Corporate Communications to determine the appropriate timing and formats to announce the recipients of Honorary Degrees.
3. Given the confidentiality of the selection process, nominators of unsuccessful candidates will not be notified.
   

6.      Honorary Degree Presentation:

1. The number of Honorary Degrees to be awarded at any given session of Convocation shall rest with the President and may not exceed one honorary degree per academic year of each of the degree programs the College is offering.
2. No more than one Honorary Degree will be awarded at any ceremony.
3. Recipients of Honorary Degrees must agree to be present to receive the honour.
4. Recipients of Honorary Degrees are also provided with the opportunity to address the graduates during the chosen Convocation ceremony.
5. Recipients will receive a framed Honorary Degree during the chosen Convocation ceremony and any associated regalia.
   

7.      Rescinding an Honorary Degree:

1. Should it be determined that the ongoing association with the Honorary Degree recipient will negatively reflect on the institution's reputation or does not align with the College's core values and strategic mandate, the College reserves the right to rescind the Honorary Degree.
2. Rescinding an Honorary Degree shall be on the recommendation of the Selection Committee to the President. The recommendation shall be based on evidence and guided by the principle of fairness and shall only be made after the President has reviewed the relevant facts related to the case under consideration.
3. The process to rescind an Honorary Degree will be managed by the Selection Committee who will provide the necessary information to brief the President and inform recommendations.
   

8.      Exceptions:

1. Exceptions to the policy will only be considered on a case-by-case basis at the direction of the President.
2. Any exceptions to the policy will be applicable to a specific nominee/recipient and will not transfer to any future individuals.