Honorary Doctorate

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Guidelines Honorary Doctorate Degrees

Introduction
Eligibility
Selection Criteria
Nomination Process
Approval Process
Honorary Degree Designations

 

Introduction

The Senate Awards and Ceremonials Committee invites nominations for Honorary Degrees to be awarded at the Spring and Fall Convocations held each year.

The nomination and approval process for Honorary Doctorates is confidential, and all those involved in the process are expected to maintain that confidentiality.

Nominations will be accepted from anyone in the Ryerson community. Individuals may not nominate themselves or members of their family.

 

 

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Eligibility

 

An Honorary Doctorate is the highest honour conferred by Ryerson University, awarded to those who have made extraordinary contributions to academia and/or to society:

  • in Canada, or internationally, particularly in fields of interest to Ryerson; or
  • to the development of Ryerson University; or 
  • to the betterment of culture, or society, or the local community.

To be considered, a nominee must have sufficient stature and recognition to ensure that the awarding of an honorary degree enhances the reputation of Ryerson University.


Exclusions:
  • Administration, faculty and staff at Ryerson are normally not eligible for nomination until at least three years after leaving the University.
  • Politicians currently in office will not normally be considered.
  • The nominee must be living. If the candidate dies after accepting the nomination, but prior to its award, the degree will be awarded posthumously.
  • Other than in exceptional circumstances, honorands must be present at the Convocation ceremony to receive a degree; degrees will not be offered in absentia.

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Selection Criteria

Since almost all candidates for honorary degrees will be distinguished people in one way or another, the Committee will consider the following:

  • In what ways is the candidate’s achievement truly outstanding?
  • In what ways has the nominee made an extraordinary contribution to scholarship, society and culture?
  • Will this person’s achievement be seen to be important and exemplary to the students who will graduate at that Convocation?
  • Has this person already been sufficiently recognized by other honors and awards?
  • Has this person been appropriately recognized by the field or profession in which s/he is said to excel?
  • Is it appropriate and/or strategic for Ryerson University to honour this person at this time?
  • Is the nominee already aware of Ryerson University and would s/he appreciate the significance of the award?
  • Does this candidate help Ryerson University achieve the goal of reflecting the diversity of Canadian society or the academic diversity of the University in the honours it bestows?

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Nomination Process

  • The official nomination form, available on the Senate website must be submitted, including the nominee’s verifiable mailing address, email address and phone number.
  • Nomination material should include sufficient documentation to clearly support the nomination and assist the Committee with the review, including a concise statement of the nominee’s extraordinary contributions to academia and/or to Ryerson University and/or to society and how these contributions distinguish him or her.
  • Nominators should not seek outside letters of support. If they are solicited, a nominator must inform the reference of the strict confidentiality of the process.
  • Nominations may be submitted at any time; however for submissions to be considered for a particular year the deadline is typically the end of September. Official deadlines will be published by the Secretary of Senate.
  • The nomination and selection process is confidential. All materials submitted are held in confidence and nominators should not inform the nominee of the nomination. The outcome of any individual nomination shall not be released out of respect for the nominee and to ensure the integrity of the process.
  • Nominators will receive a confirmation of the receipt of the nomination, but, due to the confidential nature of the process, will not be informed about the status of that nomination. Approved candidates will remain active for three years.
  • Approved candidates will remain active for three years.

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    Approval Process

  • The Senate Awards & Ceremonials Committee approves Honorary Doctorates and forwards its approved list to the President.
  • An Honorary Doctorate might not be conferred in the year in which it is approved.
  • The University is under no obligation to award an honorary doctorate in any year.

  • Normally not more than one honorary degree will be awarded at each Convocation ceremony.

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    List of Honorary Degrees that may be conferred

    LL.D. Doctor of Laws: awarded to particularly recognize contributions in public service. This is a fairly generic honorary degree.
    D.Litt Doctor of Letters: awarded to particularly recognize contributions in literature.
    D.Sc. Doctor of Science: awarded to particularly recognize contributions in science or engineering

     Other degrees may be conferred as appropriate.

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