Handbook of Operating Procedures > Series 300 Faculty and Academic Policies > 3.1.12 Emeritus Faculty

3.1.12 Emeritus Faculty

A. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set forth guidelines by which a retired faculty member of The University of Texas at Tyler may be conferred the academic title of Emeritus Faculty in accordance with The University of Texas Board of Regents’ Rules and Regulations Rule 31001 Section 2. (d).

B. Persons Affected

This policy applies to retired faculty of the University.

C. Definitions

Emeritus Faculty: A title conferred by The University of Texas at Tyler for the purpose of recognizing the meritorious service of a faculty member upon retirement.

D. Policy

Honorary titles such as Dean Emeritus, Chair Emeritus, Professor Emeritus, and similar honorary designations may be given to a retired faculty member.

E. Responsibilities

President of the University of Texas at Tyler and President-Elect of the Faculty Senate

F. Procedures

The Emeritus Committee, a committee designated for that purpose by the Faculty Senate, makes recommendations to the President regarding award of the title of Emeritus titles. Emeritus titles connote distinguished and honorable service to UT Tyler. The appointments may be made only upon approval by the President after retirement and are for life.

1. Criteria. Because selectivity is implied in the awarding of the emeritus title, it shall be made only upon recommendation of the Emeritus Committee. Candidates for faculty emeritus titles must meet the following criteria:
   1. Retired prior to being considered by the committee.
   2. Completed a minimum of ten (10) years of service on the faculty of UT Tyler.
   3. Attained the academic rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
   4. Been nominated by at least three full-time, tenured faculty members.
   5. Demonstrated good character and sustained quality in academic accomplishments and university service.
2. Selection. The process for the selection of nominations for faculty emeritus title is as follows:
   1. During the summer term of each year, the Faculty Senate President, in consultation with the President-elect, appoints members to the Emeritus Committee. 
      1. The President-elect of the Faculty Senate chairs the committee and also represents her/his own College.
      2. The other members (one per College) must be, if feasible, tenured faculty members who have a long connection with UT Tyler and hold no administrative position above the department chair.
   2. During September of each year, the Committee Chair invites the tenured members of the faculty to submit nominations for emeritus designation and informs the faculty about the criteria that must be met.  
   3. During October of each year, the committee will meet only if the chair has received three or more nominations by full-time, tenured faculty members for at least one candidate whose retirement was within the previous five years.  
   4. The committee must bear in mind that this is an extraordinary honor to be bestowed upon a worthy former colleague and not an “expected” recognition.
   5. While persons being considered may have had administrative experience, the committee’s deliberations are to be based on the nominees’ teaching, research, and service accomplishments. 
   6. All deliberations of the committee are strictly confidential. Written ballots are used, counted by the committee chair and university president’s administrative assistant, and then destroyed. No copies of the committee’s files are retained. No report of the results is made except as described in item (j.) below. 
   7. The decision to recommend in favor of emeritus/emerita status is by majority vote. 
   8. The chair of the committee forwards to the president of the university a confidentially written summary of the committee’s recommendations regarding granting emeritus/emerita status. 
   9. Appointments are subject to approval by the president.
   10.  The president of the university announces the final outcome.
3. Privileges. Emeritus designees will be afforded the following privileges:
   1. Membership (without vote) in the general faculty and in the college and department faculties in which membership was held at the time of retirement.
   2. Eligibility to serve on graduate committees, subject to the approval of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and the academic dean.
   3. Listing in the faculty directory and in the appropriate college catalog.
   4. Office space, when available, and with the approval of the chair of the department, the dean of the school, and the president.
   5. Use of the campus mail and e-mail services.
   6. A faculty identification card denoting previous academic rank and the emeritus title.
   7. Faculty library privileges.

E. Responsibilities

President-Elect of the Faculty Senate, Provost, and President.

F. Review

The Divisional Head for this policy is the Provost. This policy shall be reviewed every five (5) years or sooner if necessary by the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the President of the Faculty Senate, and a University Committee designated by the Faculty Senate.