1. Purpose

   Emeritus or Emerita status is recognition at the retirement of a faculty member (including early retirement) or administrative presidential appointee who has completed a period of meritorious service. This policy serves to ensure a consistent approach to conferring Emeritus or Emerita status.

2. Policy

   Emeritus or Emerita status is conferred upon a faculty member or presidential contract administrator at the time of his or her retirement or posthumously, if the individual is deemed worthy of this special recognition in the judgment of the appropriate academic department, regional campus, or administrative department, with the concurrence of appropriate administrative officers and the president. Posthumous awards are to be made only when the person would have been eligible had he or she lived, and only within three years of the person's death.

   This judgment should be based on many or all of the following factors:

   1. length of service (except in special circumstances, a minimum of ten years);

   2. quality of teaching and research or performance in the administrative position(s);

   3. overall contribution to the University; and

   4. service to society beyond the University community

3. Procedures

   1. Recommendations for Conferral

      Recommendations for conferment of Emeritus or Emerita status begin in the department of current service by a process established by that department. Following approval at the departmental level, the names are forwarded for concurrence through the administrative chain-of-command to the President, who may recommend Emeritus or Emerita status to the Board of Trustees for approval at the spring meeting.

   2. Privileges

      An Emeritus or Emerita member is granted the following privileges as if he or she were an active faculty member, or administrative presidential appointee:

      1. full library privileges

      2. E-mail and related services

      3. ID card

      4. opportunity to secure parking consistent with current university policy

      5. same educational benefits that one had at time of retirement

      6. opportunity to purchase reserved seats to athletic contests and performing arts series

      7. opportunity to use some recreational facilities, wellness, and health services

      8. opportunity to attend certain alumni and University events, e.g. Homecoming Luncheon, Christmas Open house, class reunions, Commencement, and Honors Convocation.

      9. opportunity to join the O.U. Emeriti Association which sponsors monthly luncheon meetings, publishes monthly newsletters and an Emeriti Handbook, and maintains close association with the University through several active committees. (Widows and widowers of deceased Emeritus or Emerita members may belong to the Emeriti Association.)

         In addition to these privileges, when an Emeritus or Emerita member is on active duty, he or she may be offered the use of other facilities such as office space and other facilities when they are available.

Reviewers

Proposed revisions of this policy should be reviewed by:

1. Policy and Procedure Review Committee

2. Faculty Senate

3. Administrative Senate

4. Associate Provost for Information Technology

5. Dean of University Libraries

6. Vice President for Student Affairs

7. Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

8. Assistant V.P. for Administration for Human Resources

Forms, References, and History

1. Forms

   The following forms are specific to this policy:

   1. Emeritus or Emerita Status Nomination Forms are available on-line at /provost/apfap/emeriti.