UCLA Policy 140:	Awarding of the UCLA Medal
Issuing Officer:	Vice Chancellor, External Affairs	Printable View
Responsible Dept:	Special Events & Protocol
Effective Date:	October 28, 2004
Supersedes:	UCLA Policy 140, dated 3/1/2001

The University imposed an ongoing moratorium on awarding honorary degrees in 1972. However, UCLA has determined that there are circumstances where a need exists for the campus to honor certain individuals in the same manner as other universities give honorary degrees.

Accordingly, the UCLA Medal was established by Chancellor Young in 1979. The first Medals were awarded during UCLA's Golden Year to alumni, administrators, and faculty who made significant contributions to UCLA's early development. Subsequent UCLA Medal presentations have been made at commencement ceremonies, academic convocations, and on other appropriate occasions at the Chancellor's discretion.

II. STATEMENT

The UCLA Medal is the highest accolade for exceptional achievement the University of California, Los Angeles may bestow upon an individual. The awarding of the UCLA Medal should be regarded as the way in which UCLA acknowledges its highest ideals in recognizing personal accomplishments. The community should regard a UCLA Medal as evidence of genuine eminent distinction.

A. Approval Process

The UCLA Medal shall only be awarded upon approval of the Chancellor, in consultation with the Chancellor's Executive Committee. The Office of Special Events & Protocol under the Vice Chancellor of External Affairs shall oversee the administration and processing of nominations for the UCLA Medal. The Vice Chancellor of External Affairs will be the liaison with the Chancellor and the Chancellor's Executive Committee.

B. Award Ceremony

The awarding of the UCLA Medal shall customarily be considered for presentation at any of the annual degree-conferring commencement ceremonies. It is expected that on such occasions the Chancellor will personally present the UCLA Medal as part of the ceremony.

C. Exceptions

Exceptions to this policy may be granted only by the Chancellor, in consultation with the Chancellor's Executive Committee.

III. CRITERIA

Criteria for the awarding of the UCLA Medal are as follows:

1. The recipient of the UCLA Medal must fit one of the following categories:
   
   
   • An individual with a past close association with UCLA as alumnus, faculty member, administrator, or similar relationship, and whose achievements, contributions, or services have made an extraordinary contribution to the betterment of the University.
     
     
   • An individual, whether or not previously associated with UCLA, whose local, national, or international achievements are of exceptional significance and merit.
     
     
2. The UCLA Medal shall be bestowed on individuals in various fields of endeavor and shall not be based solely on financial or political considerations.
   
   
3. The UCLA Medal shall not be awarded to:



• current state or local elected officials;



• members of the Board of Regents of the University of California; or



• active employees of the University of California.

The Medal shall not be awarded to former Regents or employees of the University until eleven months or more after the date of retirement or termination.


4. The UCLA Medal shall not be awarded posthumously.

IV. PROCEDURES

Following are nominating procedures and related requirements:

1. Formal nominations shall include a detailed letter addressing the reasons that distinguish the candidate for nomination, accompanied by biographical information. This information shall be submitted to the Vice Chancellor of External Affairs, via the Office of Special Events & Protocol.
   
   
2. Only the Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost, Executive Dean, a Vice Chancellor, Vice Provost or Dean (hereinafter referred to as nominator(s)) may submit the names of individuals for consideration for the UCLA Medal. Nominations from other than these nominators shall not be accepted, although requests may be channeled through one of the nominators who may choose to sponsor the candidate.
   
   
3. No more than one nomination per nominator may be considered at any given time in the academic year. Only one UCLA Medal may be bestowed at any commencement ceremony. Should a potential medalist decline or in any way be unable to accept the UCLA Medal, the nominator has the option to submit for consideration another individual in that academic year.
   
   
4. Potential recipients who are not able to accept the UCLA Medal during the academic year in which they are nominated must be renominated in accordance with this policy to be considered for the UCLA Medal in any subsequent year.