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Handbook of Operating Procedures
Chapter 2 - Faculty and Academics
Previous Publication Date: March 26, 2012
Publication Date: October 1, 2019
Policy Reviewed Date: July 27, 2023
Policy Owner: VP for Academic Affairs


2.03 Emeritus Academic Titles


I. POLICY STATEMENT


In recognition of years of valued service and contribution to The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) mission, UTSA may award the title “emeritus” to qualified faculty members, retired or retiring, who meet the standards of a faculty emeritus, as listed in Procedures, Section A below.


II. RATIONALE


This policy defines emeritus titles at UTSA and establishes the procedures to be followed in granting emeritus titles to qualified faculty. 


III. SCOPE


The policy applies to all tenured faculty, including retired faculty members and those anticipating retiring from UTSA, who seek to be granted an emeritus title either post-retirement or effective upon retirement.


IV. WEBSITE ADDRESS FOR THIS POLICY


http://www.utsa.edu/hop/chapter2/2.03.html


V. RELATED STATUTES, POLICIES, REQUIREMENTS OR STANDARDS


UTSA or UT System Policies or the Board of Regents' Rules & Regulations

  1. The University of Texas System (UT System) Board of Regents Rule 31001, Faculty Appointments and Titles
  2. UTSA HOP policy 2.02, Faculty Appointments and Titles

VI. CONTACTS


If you have any questions about HOP policy 2.03, Emeritus Academic Titles, contact the following office:

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
210-458-4110


VII. DEFINITIONS


Emeritus Academic Title: An honorary title, such as Dean Emeritus, Chair Emeritus, Professor Emeritus,  Associate Professor Emeritus and similar honorary designations that may be given to a faculty member who is retired or anticipates retiring by the end of the academic year to be effective immediately (if already retired) or upon retirement. The conferring of one of these titles is not automatic upon retirement and may be conferred only upon approval by the President of UTSA in accordance with procedures outlined in this policy.


VIII. RESPONSIBILITIES


  1. Tenured Faculty Member or Group of Tenured Faculty in College
    1. Nominates person for emeritus title.
  2. Candidate
    1. Prepares and submits cover letter and curriculum vitae to department chair.
  3. Chair of Department
    1. Forwards candidate file to full professors on Department Faculty Review Advisory Committee (DFRAC).
    2. Reviews candidate file and the DFRAC's recommendation.
    3. Evaluates the strength of the candidate's case.
    4. Submits own recommendation and forwards DFRAC's recommendation and candidate's file to the dean.
  4.  Department Faculty Review Advisory Committee
    1. Reviews and evaluates candidate's file.
    2. Evaluates the strength of the candidate's case.
    3. Submits recommendation and candidate’s file to department chair.
  5. Dean
    1. Reviews candidate’s file, and the DFRAC and department chair’s recommendations.
    2. Submits own recommendation and forwards recommendations of chair and DFRAC and candidate’s file to the Provost.
  6. Provost
    1. Reviews candidate file, and the DFRAC, department chair and dean’s recommendations.
    2. Submits own recommendation, and forwards recommendations of chair, DFRAC and dean and candidate’s file to the President.
  7. President
    1. Reviews the candidate’s file and all recommendations.
    2. Approves/disapproves nomination.

IX. PROCEDURES


  1. Qualifications: Faculty may be granted an emeritus title if they have:
    1. Retired or upon retirement, if they are or were a full professor or associate professor by the end of the academic year,
    2. Given distinguished and honorable full-time academic and professional service to UTSA over a period of at least 10 years and made a significant contribution to their professional area of expertise,
    3. Adhered to the highest academic, civic, and ethical standards, and
    4. Rated as “Exceeds Expectations” in at least 3 of the last 5 annual overall faculty ratings and the remaining overall faculty ratings at “Meets Expectations” or above.
  2. The process for granting an emeritus title is as follows:
    1. Any tenured faculty member or group in the department or college may nominate a qualified tenured UTSA faculty who is retired or anticipates retiring by the end of the academic year. They may also nominate themselves for emeritus status to the chair of their academic department. Nominations will normally be due the semester prior to retiring.
    2. Posthumous nominations may be submitted within one year of a faculty member’s passing while holding a tenured faculty position at UTSA and will use the criteria defined in IXA Qualifications.
    3. Applications will be submitted to the department chair, and must include a cover letter outlining qualifications and current curriculum vitae.
    4. The department chair will provide the candidate’s submitted materials to the full professors serving on the DFRAC and confirm that the candidate was rated as “Exceeds Expectations” in 3 of the last 5 annual overall faculty ratings.
    5. The full professors serving on the DFRAC will review the candidate’s qualifications in relation to the criteria described in IXA and recommend/not recommend emeritus and forward all materials to the department chair.
    6. The department chair will review the materials and the DFRAC’s recommendation and likewise recommend/not recommend the emeritus title and forward all materials to the dean of the college.
    7. The dean will review all materials and recommend/not recommend the emeritus professor and submit all materials to the Provost.
    8. The Provost will review and approve/disapprove the candidate’s application and then submit all materials to the President.
    9. President will approve/disapprove the recommendation. Upon verification of the candidate’s eligibility, the President and will grant the emeritus title, effective immediately or upon retirement, as appropriate.
    10. Recommendations and reviews by the department chair, the dean, and the Provost, and the decision of the President are not subject to appeal.
    11. Candidates who are not approved for emeritus status cannot be nominated or self-nominated again.
  3. Faculty who are granted an emeritus title receive the following benefits:
    1. Use of UTSA e-mail/web access.
    2. Use of UTSA computer on campus, if available, and if use is related to UTSA activity.
    3. Parking privileges provided at no cost to emeritus faculty, in accordance with UTSA policy and the emeritus faculty is engaged in UTSA related activity.
    4. Shared office space and photocopy budget provided, subject to availability and if the activity emeritus faculty member is involved with is related to UTSA.  
    5. Listing in UTSA catalogues.
    6. Opportunity to be appointed and/or compensated in a manner consistent with UTSA requirements and reflective of individual circumstances.
    7. All other benefits UTSA grants to retired faculty members.
  4. Faculty who receive the emeritus title are encouraged to:
    1. Identify oneself as a UTSA emeritus faculty member in any professional activity that pertains to service to UTSA or use of its resources.
  5. Faculty who receive the emeritus title are encouraged to:
    1. Provide faculty-related services to UTSA, as appropriate, including but not limited to:
      1. mentoring junior faculty in teaching and research activities;
      2. mentoring faculty in general career development; and/or
      3. serving as a member, but not supervisor, of student thesis and dissertation committees.
    2. Consider contributing to UTSA’s development by sponsoring student awards and scholarships.
    3. Participate in the activities of the Retired Faculty Association.
  6. Limitations
    1. There is no compensation that accompanies the emeritus title.
    2. Emeritus faculty are not considered member of the General Faculty (as defined by HOP policy 2.02, Faculty Appointments and Titles) by virtue of the emeritus title.
    3. Emeritus faculty are not eligible to serve on any UTSA body by virtue of the emeritus title.

X. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION


None


XI. FORMS AND TOOLS/ONLINE PROCESSES


None


XII. APPENDIX


None


XIII. Dates Approved/Amended


10-01-2019
03-26-2012