Emeritus Title
04-17-07
Members of the faculty, academic staff and administrative staff who leave the University with official retirement status and in good standing1 are granted certain privileges and the "emeritus" title. For faculty members with the rank of professor, associate professor or assistant professor, the "emeritus" designation is appended to the rank held at the time of retirement, e.g., professor emeritus. For academic staff the title would be librarian emeritus, etc. For administrators whose administrative appointment requires approval by the Board of Trustees, the emeritus designation, upon approval by the Provost and the President, is appended only to the most senior administrative title held at Michigan State University, which may be held at or prior to the time of retirement, e.g., dean emeritus. The emeritus designation is not normally awarded for administrative titles held on an "acting" basis.
Faculty, academic staff, and administrative staff who end their employment at the University after a substantial period of distinguished service short of the years of service needed for retirement eligibility, may be granted emeritus status upon the recommendation of the Provost to the President, after the Provost consults with the University Committee for Faculty Affairs.
Faculty with the emeritus designation are entitled to attend Academic Senate meetings with voice but without vote; to march in academic processions such as commencement; to avail themselves of the libraries; to have continued access to an MSU email account; to receive, on application, a faculty vehicle permit; to represent the University, on appointment, at academic ceremonies of other institutions; and, in general, to take part in the social and ceremonial functions of the University.
Emeritus status may be revoked upon the recommendation of the Provost to the President, after approval by the University Committee for Faculty Affairs in those exceptional cases in which behavior occurring or discovered after being awarded emeritus status is deemed to be substantially inconsistent with the behavior expected of Michigan State University faculty, academic staff, and administrative staff.
1”Good Standing” is assumed unless one ends employment while suspended or during dismissal proceedings.
Enacted: 5/18/50
Amended: 4/5/91, 6/21/19