Upon retirement, a university professor, full professor, or associate professor who has been a tenured member of the University Faculty for ten or more years may be considered for emeritus/a status. [More ]
Awarding the title of university professor emeritus/a, professor emeritus/a, or associate professor emeritus/a shall be based upon the career contributions of the candidate through a combination of teaching, research, advising, administration, and outreach. An overall record of meritorious service to the university is expected. [More ]
The authority to award emeritus/a status rests with the Provost and the process is as follows:
- The candidate supplies a curriculum vitae to the department Chair together with a cover letter that includes the date of retirement and a request to be considered for emeritus/a status. [More ]
- The request for emeritus/a status is reviewed and voted upon by the full professors in the candidate’s department. [More ]
- The result of the vote and the department Chair’s recommendation to either approve or deny emeritus status is forwarded to the Dean of the candidate’s college.
- The Dean in turn reviews the dossier and makes a recommendation to the Provost. If the Dean and/or the department Chair’s recommendation is negative, then the candidate is so informed by the Provost and given the opportunity to respond in writing within sixty days. The final decision is made by the Provost, perhaps in consultation with the Dean of Faculty and others.
Timely execution is expected throughout the process.
What does it mean to be “emeritus/a”?
From the title point of view, we are recommending that “emeritus” and “emerita” be used as modifiers just like “adjunct” or “visiting”. The Faculty Handbook offers details about titles and modifiers. Thus, a retired associate professor is eligible for the title of “associate professor emerita” or “associate professor emeritus”. For our recommendation to be accepted, we need formal approval of five new titles: associate professor emeritus, associate professor emerita, university professor emeritus, university professor emerita, and professor emerita. (Professor emeritus is on the books).
Is there a “formula” that weights the relevant contributions from teaching, research, advising, administration, and outreach?
The point of identifying these five areas of contributions is simply to encourage a broad view of what we mean by “meritorious service to the university.” Faculty contribute in many different ways over the course of their careers. There is no formula for emeritus/a status any more than there is a formula for what makes a faculty member valuable at a particular moment in time.
Exactly what should be communicated through the CV and the cover letter?
As much as possible, the CV should communicate the full history of the candidate’s contributions though teaching, research, administration, advising and outreach. It is not necessary to document every single talk or the names of every single freshman advisee. In addition to specifying the official retirement date and the request for emeritus status, the cover letter can be used to explain things that are not easily captured by the CV.
Can other members of the academic staff participate in the vote?
Yes, it if is documented departmental policy. For example, a department may give all tenured faculty and all emeritus/a faculty the right to vote on an emeritus case.
