Issue/Question
What is the protocol for emeritus status, and how is such a review initiated?
Resolution
Emeritus appointments are governed by Policy 1.1037: Emeritus Faculty Designation.
- After the full retirement of a faculty member with at least ten years of service and whose years of service plus their age equals 60, the tenured faculty meet (with chair present) to discuss the record of accomplishment that would make the person worthy of the appointment to emeritus faculty. The tenured faculty then vote on recommending emeritus status.
- If a majority of faculty vote in favor, then they email a brief justification to the chair who then makes an independent evaluation. If the chair supports the nomination, then they write a memo which indicates that a majority of tenured faculty supported the nomination, includes the faculty member’s 800# (WKUID) and years of service as a full-time faculty member at WKU, and provides specific accomplishments as part of the justification supporting the nomination. (These accomplishments are included in the board packet when the appointment receives final approval.)
- The chair emails their recommendation memo to the dean for review. If the dean approves the recommendation, the dean (or their designee), submits an Emeritus Request service request in TeamDynamix. They will write a brief rationale for their support in the justification box, add the department chair’s memo as an attachment, and submit the nomination.
- The Associate Provost for Faculty reviews these nominations on behalf of the Provost. After the Provost supports the nomination, the dean, chair, and candidate will receive notifications indicating that the nomination has been advanced to the President and Regents for consideration. The President’s Office will invite the nominee to the Regents meeting when the nomination will be considered. After board approval, the new appointment goes into effect.