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5.14 Emeritus Status

The following establishes general System guidelines for the development of individual campus policies and procedures for determining emeritus eligibility, privileges, and responsibilities. The titles "emeritus" and "emeriti" will be conferred only upon those retired tenured professors who have made a significant contribution to the university through a long and distinguished record of scholarship, teaching, and/or service. In addition to the title Professor Emeritus, the university will recognize the title President Emeritus, Chancellor Emeritus, and Provost Emeritus, as recommended by the Board of Regents.

While each campus will formulate its own nomination procedures, all nominations shall originate at the departmental or college level and shall be based upon the recommendation of colleagues in the department or college.

All emeritus appointments are subject to approval by the Board of Regents upon recommendation by the president. Approval by the Regents will normally occur in the spring of each year.

In addition to library and parking privileges, emeritus faculty shall have access to UHV email, UHV laptop and IT support. Emeritus faculty shall also receive invitations to and announcements of appropriate campus and university functions and shall be listed in appropriate catalogs and directories. Each campus will determine any additional courtesies or privileges accorded emeritus faculty.

Emeritus faculty are expected to remain willing to assist and advise the university or campus as requested, particularly in their areas of competence.

5.14.1 UHV Policy on Emeritus Status

"Professor Emeritus" is to be considered a title of distinction conferred by colleagues upon one who has served this institution and the profession well for a number of years.

To be eligible for emeritus status, a retired faculty member shall ordinarily:

  1. Have completed a minimum of 10 years of full-time service at the institution, at least five with regular teaching duties of two or more classes each year.
  2. Have achieved the rank of associate or full professor.

These prerequisites may be waived upon recommendation of the college, a two-thirds majority vote of the faculty, and concurrence of the president. To be selected, the member shall meet these criteria:

  1. Have first received the recommendation of the college-based upon a simple majority vote with the concurrence of the college dean or upon a two-thirds majority vote.
  2. Have then received the recommendation of the Faculty Council-based on a simple majority vote and the concurrence of the president of the institution.
  3. Have finally received the approval of the Board of Regents.
  4. Professors Emeriti may use the title in professional correspondence and activities. They may attend faculty meetings and, if selected, serve as voting members on committees. They may attend university functions, use university facilities, enjoy parking privileges, and participate in university activities (e.g., marching with the faculty at graduation). They will also be listed under "Emeriti" in the university catalog.

Professors Emeriti have no obligations but are expected to continue to conduct themselves as professional teachers and scholars and to represent or otherwise assist the institution from time to time.

Librarians may also be accorded emeritus status in keeping with the same criteria outlined above but as recommended by their library colleagues and director. Also, administrators of long and distinguished service may be recommended for emeritus status by action of the president of the university.