University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees met Nov. 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Present: Fred Johnson Asiimwe, Larry Fahnestock, Ane Icardo Isasa, Prasanta Kalita, Susan Koerner, Rolando Romero
Guest: Matthew Wheeler (past Chair of Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees)
A regular meeting of the Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees (HD) was called to order at 10:00 am with Romero presiding.
I. INTRODUCTIONS
No introductions were made.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the September 19, 2019 meeting were approved as distributed.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
No requests received.
IV. CHAIR’S REMARKS
It was noted that the Senate Committee on Committees will present Wheeler for approval at the November Senate meeting to fill the faculty member and chair vacancy on HD.
Wheeler gave an overview of the previous discussion by HD to draft a process document and noted that HD can continue the discussion this year.
V. OLD BUSINESS
HD.14.05, Nomination by the College of Media
No new discussion.
HD.16.03, Nomination by the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
No new discussion.
HD.17.02, Nomination by the College of Business
No new discussion.
HD.17.03, Nomination by the Department of History
No new discussion.
HD.20.01, Nomination by the Departments of Mathematics and Physics
Copies of the letter of support were distributed. HD reviewed and noted the strength of the nominee not only in his field of mathematics but also in mentoring students. HD approved to send the nomination forward for Senate approval.
HD reviewed and approved the summary that will be sent to Senate.
HD.20.02, Review of the Bylaws, Part D.13 – Committee on Honorary Degrees
HD reviewed the current Bylaws, Part D.13 language regarding the duties and membership of the committee. HD suggested the addition of a representative from the Office of the Chancellor, specifically the Director of Special Events, as an ex officio member to formalize the participation by that individual in the process of transmitting nominations from the committee to the administration and the Board of Trustees. Laura Wilhem-Barr, Director of Special Events, will be invited to the next meeting to discuss this suggestion. Draft wording will be prepared for review by HD at the next meeting.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
HD.20.03, Nomination by the Department of African American Studies and the Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities
Nomination was received from Ronald Bailey, Head of the Department of African American Studies, and Antoinette Burton, Director of the Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities. HD reviewed the nomination materials and noted the strength of the nomination. Letters of support will be requested from the references provided in the nomination packet.
HD.20.04, Nomination by the Division of Nutritional Sciences, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, and College of ACES Office of International Programs Nomination was received from Elvira de Mejia, Professor and Director of the Division of Nutritional Sciences; Donald Wuebbles, Harry E. Preble Professor of Atmospheric Sciences; and Alex Winter-Nelson, Associate Dean of the College of ACES Office of International Programs. HD reviewed the nomination materials and noted the impressive career of the nominee. Letters of support will be requested from the references provided in the nomination packet.
HD.20.05, Nomination by the Department of Animal Sciences, Gies College of Business, and Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
Nomination was received from Matthew Wheeler, Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences; Jeffrey Brown, Dean of the Gies College of Business; and Josh Whitman, Director of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. HD reviewed the nomination materials and agreed to request letters of support from the references provided in the nomination packet.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 am.
https://uofi.app.box.com/v/HonoraryDegrees/file/573792483643
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