Emeritus Faculty Policy

Upon retirement from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the tenured faculty, non-tenure track faculty, and/or senior administrators with a proven track record of distinguished service to the University may be granted emeritus status. The status is conferred to those candidates who are nominated by their unit/school for this distinction, and who are affirmed by a vote of the unit and in concurrence with the Dean of the relevant college, Provost, and Chancellor. Nominees should have contributed significantly to SIUC as faculty/administrators for at least 10 years, as determined by their academic unit/school/college, and will continue to contribute to the well-being of SIUC following their retirement through their activities. Units/schools/colleges may define further qualifications for emeritus faculty in the Operating Papers. Candidates should be nominated for emeritus status when they retire at the end of the academic year or within 24 months of retirement. Each faculty candidate’s nomination will be initially reviewed within the candidate’s basic academic unit and evaluated by their Dean (or designee). Nominations and letters of recommendation (from the unit and Dean) will be reviewed by the Provost, who will make the final determination. A denial may be appealed to the Chancellor. The Chancellor’s decision shall be final. Faculty awarded emeritus status will retain their rank at the time of retirement, followed by the designation “Emeritus”. Emeritus status remains contingent upon adherence to professional standards.

University administrators, to be eligible for emeritus status, must hold a rank at the director level or higher and have a proven record of distinguished service. The title for an administrator will be commensurate with the position (and faculty rank if applicable) held at the time of retirement, followed by the designation “Emeritus” (e.g., Dean emeritus, President emeritus, Chancellor emeritus, Director emeritus, etc.). The SIUC Chancellor shall have the authority to grant such designations for campus administrators who meet eligibility requirements. The President shall have the authority to grant such designation for an eligible Chancellor.

Emeritus faculty members are entitled to full access to library facilities and services, email, attendance at graduations and convocations in full regalia, and all benefits that the university grants to retired faculty members. Emeritus faculty who, upon retirement, were members of the Graduate Faculty are eligible to serve as members of thesis/dissertation committees in accordance with Graduate School policy. Based on availability and with the recommendations of the School Director and Dean and concurrence of the Provost, use of office and/or lab space, equipment, and other campus facilities may be granted to support scholarly work and/or educational activities. Faculty who intend to continue their research activities following retirement in a school may seek emeritus status.

This policy does not limit a unit’s ability to offer these or additional privileges to retired faculty, with or without the emeritus designation. Library services for non-emeritus retirees will be the same as those for visitors/community members.

Schools shall immediately review and recommend whether individuals who retired prior to the effective date of this Policy should be granted emeritus status. Such reviews shall occur within one year of the effective date of this policy.