On February 28 Uni Melbourne announced six new hon docs – all to white men. “This is unacceptable,” the Foundation states

And so it has suspended the university from the Snow Fellowship Programme, which are worth $8m each.  The Foundation adds that over the last three years Uni Melbourne has not awarded hon docs to women “or someone of non white descent.”

The Foundation adds it asked for an explanation from the university and received an “unsatisfactory” response.

“Given the outcomes of the University of Melbourne’s gender equality and diversity programmes do not align with Snow Medical’s values, Snow Medical has made the difficult decision to suspend the University of Melbourne from future applications … until the university has demonstrated better outcomes.”

The Foundation will honour existing fellowships at Uni Melbourne, but “now is the time for action – not just talk.”

An undated noted on the bottom of the university’s February 28 hon doc announcement states, “A number of graduates who were due to receive their honorary doctorates on Monday night were unable to attend the in-person ceremony for a variety of reasons. This list includes three women and an Indigenous man who were recognised for outstanding achievements in their fields of endeavour. These honorary doctorates will be conferred at a later date.”