How is a final decision reached by a Union Award or Medal committee?
The Honors committees dedicates several weeks to reviewing every nomination submitted. On the basis of their scientific backgrounds and knowledge, committee members hold confidential deliberations until an honoree is chosen. No one is selected without receiving a majority of the committee’s votes. Once an awardee or medalist is chosen, the committee reports their recommendations to the AGU Executive Committee for final approval. In the event a committee is deadlocked, the chair will report such to the AGU Executive Committee. No medal or award will be given that year. Unless there are three viable nominations, the committee is not expected to make a recommendation for that year.
