RETIRED LIBRARY FACULTY BENEFITS AND EMERITUS/EMERITA STATUS
This policy documents the process for award of emeritus/emerita status for library faculty and establishes the nature and extent of Library benefits available for emeritus/emerita Library faculty. The terminology emeritus/emerita is used in this policy to mirror the terminology in Provost Communication 12.
AWARD OF EMERITUS/EMERITA STATUS
Emeritus/emerita faculty status may be awarded by the Board of Trustees upon retirement from the University of Illinois. By university policy, emeritus status is available to faculty in professorial ranks, i.e., professors and associate professors, and to research, clinical, and teaching faculty.
The application for emeritus/emerita status may be initiated by either the retiring faculty member after signing a retirement agreement or by their Division after the retirement becomes publicly known. The candidate for emeritus/emerita status should provide a copy of their CV and recent annual report to the Division Coordinator and the Dean. The Division Coordinators should submit a letter to the Dean (who will share it with the Executive Committee) that includes supporting information outlining some of the accomplishments of the faculty member during his/her tenure. The Dean will submit the recommendation for emeritus/emerita status to the Provost. Provost Communication 12 provides the transmittal coversheet and additional information (https://provost.illinois.edu/policies/provosts-communications/communication-12-policy-for-awarding-emeritusemerita-status/).
BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES
Emeritus/emerita status entitles faculty to privileges and benefits beyond those awarded to retirees.
Retiree Benefits
The listing of retiree benefits is maintained by campus human resources (https://humanresources.illinois.edu/retirees/benefits-services.html).
Retired library faculty who subsequently hold hourly positions will receive the same Library IT benefits as other hourly employees. Retired library faculty who are subsequently appointed to a paid % appointment in the library will be treated as full time employees for the purpose of Library IT support for the duration of the appointment.
Emeritus/Emerita Benefits
As documented in Provost Communication 12, the campus extends the following privileges to emeritus/emerita faculty members:
- Faculty I-card (identification card) to include the emeritus/emerita designation
- Participation in campus graduation ceremonies and processionals with use of graduate regalia
- Email access per CITES policies related to retired faculty and staff
- Retention of tenured faculty privileges at the University Library (with an I-card that includes the emeritus/emerita title)
For library faculty, library privileges as mentioned in Communication 12 means the privileges one has a patron of the library and not as a library employee.
Any additional rights and privileges for emeritus/emerita faculty are determined by the dean and the faculty of the unit. The University Library does not routinely extend any additional benefits to emeritus/emerita library faculty.
In cases where an emeritus/emerita faculty member also has a current 50% or higher paid appointment in the library, the following privileges are extended due to the paid appointment:
- Eligible to vote at meetings of the library faculty.
- Eligible to serve on library committees.
The Dean may provide for additional privileges to emeritus/emerita faculty, e.g., an office workspace or funding, on a case-by-case basis.
Zero Percent Appointments for Retired Library Faculty
Retired library faculty who plan to continue their research activities should seek emeritus/emerita status and initiate a discussion with the Dean about a zero percent appointment. At the discretion of the Dean, Library may request a 0% time research faculty appointment for the emeritus/emerita faculty member, particularly if the faculty member plans to apply for external funding. Procedures and conditions for a zero percent appointment are detailed in Provost Communication 12.
Retired library faculty who are appointed as a zero percent research professor will be treated as full time employees for the purpose of Library IT support for the duration of the zero percent appointment.
The Dean may approve additional support on a case-on-case basis.
Approved by the Library Executive Committee, August 30, 2023