Emeritus Status – Faculty

Emeritus status is a unique and high honor accorded to full-time faculty members leaving university service who have compiled exemplary records during at least ten consecutive years at Delta State University. To be considered for this high honor, a faculty member must demonstrate high achievement in some meritorious combination of teaching, research, and/or service.

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1. All faculty who have served at least ten consecutive years at Delta State University shall be eligible for emeritus status in their final year of service.
2. Nominations for emeritus status may be submitted by faculty, staff, or students. Nomination letters should be submitted to the department/division chair by February 1 of each year.
3. It is the responsibility of the nominee’s colleagues within the department/division, upon receipt of a nomination, to assess in a timely manner the merits of the nomination and to forward a written recommendation for awarding emeritus status or a written reason for not awarding it to the college/school dean by February 10. The standards associated with each academic rank shall be used in the assessment process.
4. The recommendation for or reasons for not awarding emeritus status should be forwarded by the dean of the college/school to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs no later than February 20. Justification for not recommending a faculty member should accompany the written response to the next level.
5. The Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs will forward recommendations for emeritus status to the President’s office by March 5. Justification for not recommending a faculty member will also be provided to the President.
6. The President’s Office will notify the IHL Board by March 15 for placement of the recommendations for emeriti status on the April IHL Board agenda.
7. The candidate will receive notification by May 1 from the President’s office on the final determination of emeritus status. In the event the nominee is denied emeritus status, he/she may request a review of the recommendations or justification.
8. In the event of a faculty member’s nomination being received after the February 15 deadline (see #2 above), the faculty member may be considered the following year.

If any special circumstances occur, special requests should be made through the division/department to the dean and the Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Responsible Office and/or Policy Owner: Office of Academic Affairs

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Active

Policy Effective Date:  AC 4/25/2013

Approved by Academic Council: 04/25/2013, 04/26/2017

Change/Review/Approval Date: 11/3/99, 2/27/02, 2/10/04, 2/24/04, 2/13/07, 4/24/07, 2/26/08, 4/25/13; 05/23/2017