• Section 1 - Introduction
• Section 2 - Policy
• Establishment
• Criteria for Appointment
• Nomination Process
• Benefits and Conditions
• Term of Appointment
• Past Exceptional Service Medal Recipients
• Section 3 - Review
• Section 4 - Associated Documents

Section 1 - Introduction

(1) The Honorary University Fellowship is established by the Council to recognise exceptional and longstanding service and support to the University and its community, to engage with people who promote the work and standing of the University, and to provide enhanced opportunities for recipients to have greater recognition and ongoing affiliation as members of the University's community. 

(2) The intent of this policy is to provide the criteria and process for appointing Honorary University Fellows and to detail the associated benefits that will provide recipients with recognition and ongoing affiliation as members of the University's community.

(3) This Policy should be read in conjunction with the Honorary Academic Titles and Visiting Appointments Policy.

Section 2 - Policy

Establishment

(4) This policy establishes the Honorary University Fellowship by authority of the Council.

Criteria for Appointment

(5) Honorary University Fellowships may be awarded to people who have given exceptional and longstanding service and support to the University and its community.

Nomination Process

(6) Nominations must be kept confidential and must not be discussed in an open forum or with the prospective appointee.

(7) Nominations may be made by any member of the Council, any member of staff or student of the University, or by the Alumni Advisory Committee.

(8) Nominations are to be made to the Vice-Chancellor and must be accompanied by a submission identifying the reasons for the appropriateness of the appointment. If practicable, and bearing in mind the need for confidentiality, nominations should include the nominee's curriculum vitae.

(9) Nominations will be presented to the Nominations and Governance Committee by the Vice-Chancellor for consideration. The Committee will make recommendations to the Council for final determination.

Benefits and Conditions

(10) Honorary University Fellows will be accorded membership of the University Convocation, in accordance with clause 13(iv) of the University of Newcastle By-law 2017.

(11) Honorary University Fellows will be eligible to wear academic dress on ceremonial occasions, being the habit of their degree, or if they are not a graduate, a plain black Master's gown and cap as worn by Masters of Arts of the University of Cambridge, in accordance with clause 8(vi) of the Awards and Graduation Policy.

(12) Honorary University Fellows will be entitled to describe themselves as Honorary Fellows of the University of Newcastle.

(13) Honorary University Fellows will be admitted to the Fellowship at a Graduation Ceremony or other appropriate formal ceremony.

(14) Honorary University Fellows will be accorded such use of the general facilities of the University, including its libraries and computing services, as the Vice-Chancellor may determine.

(15) Honorary University Fellows will be accorded special guest status at official functions of the University.

(16) Honorary University Fellows are to abide by University statutes, regulations and policies whilst undertaking activities relating to their appointment in accordance with the Honorary Academic Titles and Visiting Appointments Policy.

Term of Appointment

(17) Honorary University Fellows are appointed for life.

(18) The Council may withdraw the award if there is any breach or suspected breach of policy or any conduct which, in the opinion of the Council, is likely to bring the University or any of its related entities into disrepute.

Past Exceptional Service Medal Recipients

(19) All past recipients of the Exceptional Service Medal, as awarded by the Council in the period 1997 to 2015, will be automatically recognised as Honorary University Fellows.

Section 3 - Review

(20) The Honorary University Fellowship and this policy will be reviewed by the Nominations and Governance Committee every two years.

Section 4 - Associated Documents

(21) Nomination Form – Honorary University Fellow