The committee consists of six members elected by the voting faculty to staggered three-year terms. The secretary of the faculty is a member of the committee ex officio. The committee considers nominations from the faculty for (1) Honorary Degrees, awarded at Commencement each May; (2) Distinguished Alumnus and Alumna Awards, presented each University Day, 12 October; (3) the Thomas Jefferson Award; and (4) the O. Max Gardner Award. Nominees for Honorary Degrees and Distinguished Alumnus and Alumna Awards are recommended for approval to the Faculty Council and the Board of Trustees. The chancellor presents the nominee for the Gardner Award to the Board of Governors.