University Honours Committee

The University Honours Committee oversees, on behalf of Senate and Council, nominations for Honorary Degrees and University Medals. Awards are offered to individuals following approval of its recommendations by Senate and Council.

Principles

Withdrawal of an honour will only be considered where the retention of an award would bring the University’s honours system into significant disrepute. For example, revocation may be appropriate because:

• an external investigation (usually via the courts or a relevant professional/regulatory body) has been undertaken and the individual has been found guilty of a serious criminal offence or has been struck off or officially censured, or
  
• an individual has been subject to standard University conduct procedures and these have established significant wrongdoing.

Where (b) applies, the outcome of the internal procedures will be taken into account in making the decision on revocation but whether there are grounds for such action will be considered on a case-by-case basis, applying a qualitatively comparable threshold as in (a).

The events of concern may have taken place before or after the honour was awarded by the University.

Other grounds can be considered but the University will not undertake separate or independent investigations into allegations which are not already covered by its internal procedures. Personal disputes are unlikely to be considered grounds for revocation of an award.

Whilst behaviour not in line with University values is likely to be a reason for not making an award in the first instance, alone, without reference to the other specified criteria for revocation, it is unlikely to constitute sufficient grounds for revocation.

Procedure

If you believe there is good reason for the University to consider revocation of an Honorary Degree or University Medal, you should write to Richard Taylor (Chief Operating Officer and Secretary to University Council) at R.Taylor@lboro.ac.uk. Please name the individual of concern and provide evidence to support the proposal that their honour be withdrawn bearing in mind the points above.

The University may seek additional information about the case from the person who raised the issue and/or from the individual award holder. Where the case reaches a prima facie threshold for further consideration, the Chair of Honours Committee will refer the case for review by the University Honours Revocation Committee which is made up of two senior members of staff and a lay member of the governing body, Council, appointed by the Chair of Council on the recommendation of the Secretary to Council. The Committee will make one of the following decisions:

1. To conclude that there is justification for the award to be revoked and to recommend this action to the University’s Senate and Council. The Council’s decision shall be final.
2. To conclude that there is insufficient justification for any further action to be taken.
3. To request further information before reaching one of the conclusions set out under a) and b) above.

The University Honours Committee may also refer an award to the University Honours Revocation Committee for review under this procedure.

Where an individual has submitted the case for revocation, they will normally be informed of the final decision but the University will not routinely share details of its process of consideration and will take all necessary steps to protect the privacy of award holders.

Where the final decision is to revoke an award, arrangements will be made on a case-by-case basis in relation to informing the award holder and to publishing the University’s decision. Whilst former award holders do not have a formal right of appeal, the University will reconsider revocation decisions should substantial new and relevant information come to light (e.g. a legal pardon or successful appeal against conviction).

Policy approved by University Council 27 Mar 2024 for review by 31 July 2027.