II - 1.01 - Policy on Emeritus Faculty

I. Policy Statement

The University System of Maryland (USM) Policy on Appointment, Rank, and Tenure (USM II-1.00), permits USM institutions to award emeritus status to faculty members based upon quality and length of service to the institution. It is the policy of Bowie State University (BSU) to consider for emeritus status faculty members who have made significant contributions to the University through teaching, scholarship and service, and who meet the qualifications outlined in this policy. This Policy on Emeritus Faculty may be amended at the discretion of the University.

II. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to define the eligibility, criteria, privileges, and appointment procedure for emeritus faculty status at Bowie State University.

III. Applicability

This policy applies to all retired and soon-to-be retired faculty members who meet the criteria to become an emeritus faculty member as outlined in this policy.

IV. Definitions

A. Emeritus: an honorary status that is conferred to extend association with the University following a faculty member’s retirement.

B. Reconsideration: a request for reassessment of emeritus status after a previous request is denied.

V. Criteria and Eligibility

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for emeritus status, faculty members must meet, at a minimum, the following criteria:

  1. The faculty member must have been a full-time tenured member of the BSU faculty and have attained the rank of Full Professor.
  2. The faculty member must have retired or filed the necessary documents for retirement.

Criteria

Successful candidates for consideration for emeritus status will have, at minimum:

  1. At least 20 years of teaching experience as a full-time tenure track and/or tenured faculty; and
  2. At least 10 years of service at Bowie State University prior to retirement, five of which are at the rank of full professor; and
  3. An exemplary record of performance, as per department criteria, as demonstrated by one or more of the following factors:
    1. Research, scholarship, creative works, and/or other scholarly contributions; and/or
    2. Excellence in teaching; and/or
    3. Significant service to the University.

VI. Appointment

The process for appointment to emeritus status is as follows:

  1. The candidate must submit an application to include a cover letter of interest prior to the date of retirement to the Chair of the Department. When submitting the cover letter, the faculty member must also include a resume or Curriculum Vitae.
  2. The Department Chair will transmit the application to the Dean with a recommendation.
  3. Upon receiving the application, the Dean submits a recommendation (for or against) to the University ART committee.
  4. The University ART committee will transmit its recommendation to the Provost.
  5. After weighing the application and the recommendations from the Department Chair and the Dean, the Provost will either confirm or deny the recommendation to the University President.
  6. The University President will review the application and recommendations and then render a decision.
  7. The Provost will inform the interested faculty member of the President’s decision. If emeritus status is granted, the Provost will notify the Department Chair of the decision. The Dean will submit an official title change to Human Resources.
  8. The process for emeritus applications will follow the same timeline as set for by the University ART review process.

VII. Privileges and Benefits

The privileges associated with having emeritus status include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Emeritus/Emerita will be added to the faculty title and the faculty will continue to be included in University directories and mailing lists.
  2. Faculty Emeriti will be allowed to retain their faculty email address and participate in faculty purchase discounts.
  3. Faculty Emeriti will have access to physical and on-line library resources.
  4. Faculty Emeriti will have access to office space and conference services when needed and when space is available.
  5. Faculty Emeriti will have access to free parking.
  6. Faculty Emeriti may be invited to participate in BSU events (e.g. convocation, commencement, and community lectures/seminars).

VIII. Reconsideration

If emeritus status is denied, the Provost will be responsible for communicating to the applicant the rationale for declining the application. A faculty member whose application for emeritus status is denied may request reconsideration by reapplying, following the regular procedures described above in the Appointment section. Applicants will only be permitted to request reconsideration once. The University reserves the right to revoke the emeritus status of any faculty member if, in its sole judgment and discretion, it is determined to be in the best interest of the University to do so.

 

 

Effective Date: February 11, 2020