Provost Koehler further clarified the process by indicating that the nominations are sent from the Senate to the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees who screen the nominations before they go to the full Board. Provost Koehler noted that, in the past, we have required honorary degree recipients to be present at commencement to receive their degree. As we think globally and internationally, the Senate may want to consider if there should be an exception to that rule as we move our sights higher. Chair Pfaffenberger also asked if we should consider awarding posthumous degrees. Please forward any suggestions for changes in wording to Chair Pfaffenberger.
Progress reports from committees .
Senator George Brown gave the report of the Academic Excellence Committee . He reported that the work of the committee has focused on the specific charge asking how excellent we are as a university. Clayton Brown gave the report of the Faculty Governance Committee. The specific charge to the committee this year is to investigate the relationship between the Faculty Senate and Board of Trustees at comparable universities and suggest ways to improve the relationship between the Faculty Senate and the Board in pursuit of academic excellence. Define and explain the purpose and operation of the proposed system and prepare recommendations for implementing it.