É«»¢ÊÓƵ

The University shall recognize the following special appointments: Professor Emeritus and Curators’ Distinguished Professor. Eligibility, procedures, and privileges are outlined below:

Professor Emeritus

Faculty and administrative officers who have tenured, faculty status are eligible for consideration for emeritus status upon retirement if they 1) hold the rank of full professor, have served the University for at least twenty (20) years, and have made a major, positive impact on the growth, development, and/or image of the University; or 2) hold the rank of associate professor, have served the University for at least thirty (30) years, and have made a major, positive impact on the growth, development, and/or image of the University.

Significant contributions may be demonstrated by examples such as the following:

1. 1. 1. Meritorious service in the areas of teaching and University service;
      2. Peer reviewed scholarly publications;
      3. Publication of scholarly and/or creative works including, but not limited to, compositions, arrangements, and/or recordings;
      4. Author of major, funded grants;
      5. Offices held in state, regional, national and/or international professional associations and/or societies; and
      6. Administrative assignments which have been performed at the highest level of service as reflected by evaluations and accomplishments.

The following process will be in place:

1. The applicant shall submit a letter with accompanying documentation providing evidence of the above to her/his department head. (If the applicant is a department head, he/she should send the documentation to her/his Dean. Deans and Vice Presidents should send their documentation to the head of the department in which they hold rank and tenure.)
2. The department head will review the materials and forward them with her/his recommendation to the Dean.
3. The Dean will review the materials and forward them with her/his recommendation to the VPAA.
4. The VPAA will review the materials and forward them with her/his recommendation to the President.
5. The President will review the materials and forward them with her/his recommendation to the Board of Curators.
6. The decision of the Board will be final.

1. University identification card signifying professor emeritus status.
2. Listing of name in the Faculty Directory of the undergraduate bulletin.
3. Use of the University library.
4. Receipt of bulletins and other official material.
5. Parking rights on campus in any designated faculty/staff parking lot. (Parking will not be allowed in handicapped spaces unless the professor emeritus individual is entitled to such privilege under the law.)
6. Invitations to University receptions and other events.
7. Passes for all athletic and cultural events to include one guest (e.g., Share in the Arts, concerts, lectures, theater, dance recitals, sporting events, Homecoming).
8. University Bookstore faculty discounts.
9. Office space or research facility, if available.
10. Non-voting attendance at faculty meetings.
11. Participation in academic processions.

Curators’ Distinguished Professor

Persons eligible for appointment to the position of Curators' Distinguished Professor should be tenured, full-time employees of the University who have made significant contributions to É«»¢ÊÓƵ over an extended period of time. Persons may receive this appointment one time. Eligibility for consideration requires the following:

1. Full-time employment at É«»¢ÊÓƵ during period of appointment;

2. The rank of full professor;

3. Minimum of twenty (20) years' service and a rank of full professor for at least ten (10) years;

4. Evidence of significant contributions to É«»¢ÊÓƵ;

5. Evidence of broad participation in professional organizations;

6. Evidence of meritorious service to the local community; and

7. Expectation of continued productivity associated with the University and broader society. 

Privileges and obligations for five (5) years:

1. Each distinguished professor will have a reduced workload to allow her or him to devote 50% of her/his effort to research and the production of research findings.

2. A distinguished professor who has no administrative duties shall teach twelve (12) hours each academic year. The teaching load shall be assigned in consultation with the department head.

3. The University will pay the expenses for the distinguished professor to attend one (1) major professional meeting each calendar year.

4. The distinguished professor will have access to secretarial services.

5. Expectation of continued productivity associated with the University and broader society.

Upon completion of the five (5) years, the full professor may retain the title of distinguished professor and may return to a tenured, full-time position.

The duration of the appointment for Curators’ Distinguished Professors appointed prior to January 1, 2014 is not term limited. All candidates selected for a Curators’ Distinguished Professor appointment after January 1, 2014 will be appointed for a one time five (5) year term appointment.

The maximum number of Curators’ Distinguished Professors at any time will be limited to five (5).