Honorary degrees

Honorary Degree

1. Extraordinary Achievement

By awarding honorary degrees, NSCAD University seeks to recognize extraordinary achievement, in Canada or abroad, in community, national or international involvement, and to honour those individuals whose accomplishments are of such generally perceived excellence that they provide, through example, inspiration and leadership to the graduates of the University. Their esteem should be such that, by virtue of accepting an honorary degree, their presence will bring honour and distinction to NSCAD University.

Extraordinary achievement worthy of an honorary doctoral degree is excellence or achievement in creating something important and new – new knowledge, a new value, a new perspective, a new capability, a new appreciation, a new event, or a new object.

The Committee defines as broad a range of categories for achievement as possible in obtaining and considering nominations. In determining the leaders and exemplars to honour, it will seek over time to achieve a balance across disciplines and backgrounds. The Committee also considers the association nominees may have with NSCAD University or with higher education more broadly. The Committee also attempts to reflect the national character of Canada, the desirable features of its regional and cultural diversity, and the character and diversity of the University itself. As such, it is necessary for the Committee to have a diverse pool of candidates so that it may consider diversity in all of its dimensions.

1. Criteria for Selection

The role of the Committee is to review and select outstanding candidates for honorary degrees across a range of academic disciplines and non‐ academic areas of achievement. The Committee will seek nominations of candidates who have demonstrated:

2.1. Inspirational leadership in, or service to, society;

2.2. Outstanding contributions to, or leadership in, a field or discipline of study or a non‐academic area of achievement; or

2.3. Significant pattern of outstanding achievement at, or contributions to, NSCAD University.

Particular consideration will be given to those candidates whose contributions or leadership have not yet been widely recognized, but which merit such recognition. Every effort will be made to select candidates who are reflective of the diversity of the University community and of Canadian society.

1. Eligibility

3.1. The following persons are not eligible for consideration for an honorary degree:

3.1.1. Current members of the faculty, staff, the Board of Governors, or their immediate families. Such members may not be considered for nomination until a minimum of one year has passed since their active connection with the University has ended;

3.1.2. Current students;

3.1.3. Individuals who are active in any level of Canadian political life, although exceptions may be made for Governors General or Lieutenant‐Governors, judges, and others whose appointments place them outside active partisan politics.

3.2. Honorary degrees are not normally granted in absentia or posthumously. Honorary degrees will be conferred posthumously if the honoree was approved by the Committee, was offered, and accepted the honorary degree, but died before the degree could be conferred.

3.3. Candidates who have accepted an invitation to receive an honorary degree but have cancelled an invitation twice without reasonable cause.

1. Degree

The Doctor of Fine Arts honoris causa (D.F.A.) is the nomenclature of the honorary degree.

Life Fellow

1. Extraordinary Achievement

By appointing an individual as a Life Fellow, NSCAD University seeks to recognize former faculty, staff, alumni and other individuals who have made significant, long-term contributions to the life and development of the University. The recognition is seen as an appropriate way in which to honour persons who might not be nominated for an Honorary Degree.

1. Eligibility and Criteria

6.1. The following persons are not eligible for consideration for an Life Fellow:

6.1.1. Current members of the faculty, staff, the Board of Governors, or their immediate families;

6.1.2. Current students;

6.1.3. Individuals who are active in any level of Canadian political life, although exceptions may be made for Governors General or Lieutenant‐Governors, judges, and others whose appointments place them outside active partisan politics.

6.2. Life Fellows are not normally granted in absentia.