1.0 Reason for Policy

1.1 To establish an award that celebrates and recognizes public service and community building activities by individuals, groups, and organizations in the Province of Manitoba.

2.0 Policy Statement

2.1 The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honour bestowed by the Board of Governors. Distinguished Service Awards are awarded to individuals, groups, and organizations whose contributions improve the social or cultural well-being of the people of Manitoba. It is intended to recognize those whose service efforts build a better province for us all. The focus of the award is the recognition of distinguished community service to the University, the City of Winnipeg, and the Province of Manitoba, as opposed to individual achievements.

2.2 The Board of Governors shall decide the recipients of Distinguished Service Awards after considering the recommendations of the Distinguished Service Awards Selection Committee.

2.3 Normally, no more than two (2) Distinguished Service Awards shall be awarded in one academic year.

2.4 All residents of Manitoba who are not current employees of the University of Manitoba are eligible for nomination for the Distinguished Service Award.

2.5 Normally Distinguished Service Awards shall be presented at Convocation, but the Chair of the Board of Governors may authorize presentation at another suitable occasion.

2.6 Recipients of the Distinguished Service Award shall receive a University of Manitoba Distinguished Service Medal. A citation shall be read at the presentation ceremony.

2.7 The University will not normally offer a Distinguished Service Award to anyone who is not in a position to accept it in person.

3.0 Accountability

3.1 The University Secretary is responsible for advising the President that a formal review of the Policy is required.

4.0 Secondary Documents

4.1 The Approving Body may approve Procedures that are secondary to and comply with this Policy.

4.2 Administration may approve Procedures which are secondary to and comply with this Policy, subject to the following limitations:

5.0 Review

5.1 Formal Policy reviews will be conducted every ten (10) years. The next scheduled review date for this Policy is March 20, 2023.

5.2 In the interim, this Policy may be revised or rescinded if:

(a) the Approving Body deems necessary; or

(b) the relevant Bylaw, Regulations or Policy is revised or rescinded.

5.3 If this Policy is revised or rescinded, all Secondary Documents will be reviewed as soon as reasonably possible in order to ensure that they:

(a) comply with the revised Policy; or

(b) are in turn rescinded.

6.0 Effect on Previous Statements

6.1 This Policy supersedes Policy 230 Distinguished Service Awards, approved January 12, 1982.

7.0 Cross References

Distinguished Service Awards Procedures
Distinguished Service Award Committee Bylaw