Policy Number: III-3
Last Reviewed: August 19, 2024
Responsible Dept.: Human Resources, Office of the College President
Office to contact for clarifications: Human Resources
A signed copy of this policy is available in the President’s Office.
Purpose:
At Virginia Western, Emeritus status is an honor and may be bestowed upon individuals who not only meet the stated criteria but have also earned the respect of their peers and the college community. Awarding Emeritus status is a collaborative process between each senate (teaching faculty, administrative and professional faculty, and staff) and senior college leadership. Within the parameters as defined by the VCCS, each Senate shall participate in discussion and nomination of an Emeritus recipient for their respective group. These nominations will be assessed and approved by senior college leadership, the college president and the Local Advisory Board.
Definitions:
Professor Emeritus: 9-month full-time faculty members with the rank rank of Associate Professor or Professor who have been awarded the honor of emeritus.
Administrative/Professional Faculty Emeritus: 12-month full-time faculty members who have been awarded the honor of emeritus.
Classified Emeritus: Full-time salaried employees assigned to an Occupational Family and Career Group as defined by Department of Human Resources Management who have been awarded the honor of emeritus.
Policy:
The Emeritus/Emerita title is honorific and is intended to acknowledge outstanding service to the Virginia Community College System. It does not represent any entitlement to authority, rights, privileges or resources. Receiving Emeritus status is an honor, not an entitlement due to an individual based solely on years of service.
Virginia Western intends to honor one individual from each respective senate group annually. If a senate is deadlocked between two nominees, both may be sent to the executive team for consideration. The executive team, and ultimately the college president, reserves the right to select one individual or allow both to be recognized. Nominations are not mandatory. A senate may indicate that they do not wish to present anyone for nomination in a given year. Nominees should not be told that they are under consideration. The college president will send a congratulatory letter to each candidate following the Local Advisory Board approval.
The establishment of the status of Professor Emeritus is recommended as a method of honoring teaching faculty for meritorious service to the college. To be eligible the faculty member must be fully retired with their last employer Virginia Western Community College, in good standing. and usually will have the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with a minimum of ten years of full-time service within the VCCS system and have made a significant, meritorious contribution to the college or the VCCS.
The establishment of the status of Administrative/Professional Faculty Emeritus is recommended as a method of honoring individuals for meritorious service to the college. To be eligible, the person must be fully retired with their last employer Virginia Western Community College, in good standing, have a minimum of ten years of full-time service within the VCCS system, and have made a significant, meritorious contribution to the college or the VCCS.
The establishment of the status of Classified Employee Emeritus is recommended as a method of honoring staff members for meritorious service to the college. To be eligible the person must be fully retired with their last employer Virginia Western Community College, in good standing, have a minimum of ten years of full-time service within the VCCS system, and have made a significant, meritorious contribution to the college or the VCCS.
The president of the college shall establish a procedure for selecting individuals for appointment as a Professor Emeritus, Administrative/Professional Faculty Emeritus, and Classified Employee Emeritus with all the rights and privileges established by the college. See III-3 Emeritus Awards for Employees Procedure.
Receiving Emeritus status is an honor, not an entitlement due to an individual based solely on years of service. Nominees should not be told that they are under consideration. Virginia Western intends to honor one individual from each respective Senate group annually. Nominations are not mandatory. A Senate may indicate that they do not wish to present anyone for nomination in a given year.
Emeritus Benefits
Emeritus award recipients will be entitled to the following benefits insofar these benefits are within the limits of Virginia Western’s discretionary authority:
- Invited to college events and activities;
- Official college ID;
- Use of college facilities commonly available to Virginia Western faculty and staff (café, tennis courts, gym, fitness center, library, etc.); standard rental fees apply for use of facilities for events;
- Discount in college bookstore per contract;
- Receive college printed publications;
- Use of Emeritus title.
Additional Information:
References
VCCS Policy 3.1.3 Emeritus
III-3 Emeritus Award Procedure
Review and Revision History
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 1/31/2024 | Renumeration |
