Introduction
Behind every honorary doctorate is not just a citation and a convocation robe—but a formal, often rigorous, process of approval. While the public may see the final moment of felicitation, what happens internally is shaped by academic values and institutional checks. One of the key bodies involved in this process is the university senate.
Whether it is a central university, state university, or reputed private institution in India, the senate plays a vital role in ensuring that the decision to award an honorary doctorate is sound, justified, and transparent. But what exactly does the senate do? Why is its approval necessary?
In this blog, we explore the functions and ethical responsibilities of university senates when it comes to honorary recognitions—and why their involvement matters more than most people realise.
What Is a University Senate?
A university senate is one of the highest academic bodies within a university. It usually comprises senior faculty members, heads of departments, vice-chancellors, deans, external academic experts, and sometimes government representatives or alumni nominees.
Its primary role is to oversee academic standards, approve new courses, review academic rules, and take decisions related to student matters. However, it also has a ceremonial role—especially when it comes to awarding honorary degrees.
In some universities, the senate is known by a different name, like the academic council or governing board. But its purpose remains similar: to uphold the integrity of academic decisions.
The Process of Awarding an Honorary Doctorate
While procedures may vary slightly from one institution to another, the general flow includes the following steps:
- Nomination Received
A person is nominated for an honorary degree based on their life’s work, public contribution, or impact in a particular field. Nominations can come from university officials, faculty members, alumni, or external organisations.
- Initial Scrutiny
The internal academic office verifies the credentials, background, and relevance of the nominee. This includes ensuring that the nomination is not politically or financially motivated.
- Committee Review
A sub-committee, often called the Honorary Degree Committee or Awards Committee, examines the nomination. They look at past awards, achievements, public reputation, and alignment with university values.
- Presentation to the Senate
If the committee finds the nomination deserving, it is forwarded to the university senate for final consideration.
- Senate Deliberation
The senate discusses, debates, and either approves or rejects the recommendation. In some universities, a supermajority vote is required. This step is critical—it reflects collective academic will.
- Formal Approval by Chancellor or Governing Body
Once passed by the senate, the final approval may be required from the chancellor (usually the Governor in state universities) or the board of management in private universities.
- Conferment Ceremony
After all approvals, the degree is formally conferred during a public convocation or special ceremony.
Why the Senate’s Role Is Crucial
- Maintains Academic Dignity
The senate ensures that only truly deserving individuals receive honorary doctorates. Their scrutiny protects the university’s reputation and ensures the award is not diluted.
- Prevents Arbitrary Decisions
Without the senate, individual authorities could misuse power and offer honorary degrees for political, personal, or commercial reasons. The senate acts as a collective filter.
- Brings Diverse Perspectives
Because the senate includes members from multiple disciplines, it prevents narrow or biased decision-making. A nominee from business, for example, is reviewed not just by business faculty, but by scholars from the humanities, sciences, and social sciences as well.
- Ensures Record-Keeping and Legitimacy
All approvals are minuted and archived. This creates an institutional memory and prevents the misuse of degree conferment in the future.
- Aligns With Regulatory Expectations
While the UGC doesn’t lay out detailed procedures for honorary degrees, it expects transparency and academic governance. Senate approval meets that expectation.
What Happens If the Senate Disagrees?
There have been cases where the university leadership recommended a nominee, but the senate rejected it. This is not unusual. Reasons for rejection may include:
- Lack of substantial public contribution
- Involvement in controversy or legal issues
- Perception of political bias
- Incomplete documentation
- Concerns about the impact on the university’s values
In such cases, the nominee is quietly dropped, and no public announcement is made. This shows that the senate does not function as a rubber stamp—it exercises its judgment.
Real Examples from Indian Universities
In India, universities like Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Delhi University, and state-level institutions all require senate approval before an honorary doctorate is awarded. Even when government or political figures are considered, the senate must endorse the move.
In fact, some universities have faced media scrutiny when it was revealed that honorary degrees were awarded without proper senate consultation. As a result, newer guidelines have emerged in some states to ensure that no honorary doctorate can be awarded without documented senate consent.
Ethical Challenges and the Senate’s Responsibility
While senates hold authority, they also face ethical pressure:
- Should they approve a name just because it has public appeal?
- Should they say no to a donor or political leader?
- How do they balance institutional prestige with academic ideals?
The answer lies in self-discipline. A strong senate prioritises ethics, fairness, and merit over popularity. That’s what separates a real university from an honorary certificate-issuing organisation.
Conclusion
Honorary doctorates carry the name of the university along with the name of the recipient. That’s why the decision to award one should never be taken lightly. The university senate plays a silent but powerful role in ensuring this balance of honour and integrity.
Its duty is not just to approve names but to protect academic values for generations to come. Behind every honorary degree that commands respect, there is often a senate that stood firm, thought carefully, and chose wisely.