Awarding the Title Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit
Introduction
The University of Regina acknowledges the importance of honouring its academic retirees. This policy outlines the University’s position on awarding the title Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit to retiring Faculty, Librarians, Instructors, and Chancellors, as well as the honourary title Distinguished Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit to recognize sustained exemplary academic acheivement.
Policy
Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit – Retiring Academic Staff
The Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit title will be awarded to individuals who have:
i. Retired in good standing from full-time service to the University; and,
ii. Held a position as an academic staff member (could be an academic shadow appointment) immediately before retirement from the University for a minimum of ten (10) years.
The awardee can select and use as suffix ‘Emeritus’, ‘Emerita’ or ‘Emerit’ to follow their academic position title at the time of retirement, which will be one of: Instructor, Laboratory Instructor, Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor, Librarian, and Archivist.
An individual is deemed to be in good standing unless, at the time of their separation:
- There was a determination made or action initiated to remove the individual from University employment; and/or
- The individual left the University following formal allegations of misconduct or unsatisfactory performance.
Note: Individuals awarded the title Emeritus/Emerita prior to 2013, for other functions within the University, will be permitted continued use of the title Emeritus/Emerita (i.e. Registrar Emeritus, University Secretary Emeritus, Vice-President Emerita, Dean Emerita, etc.).
Distinguished Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit
Award of the qualifier ‘Distinguished’ Emeritus/Emerita/Emerita is an honourific title that is awarded exceptionally in recognition of sustained exemplary academic achievement that continues until retirement.
Chancellor Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit
The Chancellor Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit title will be automatically awarded to individuals who have completed two terms as Chancellor in service to the University. The qualifier ‘Distinguished’ is not available to the Chancellor
Rights and Privileges
The title Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit and Distinguished Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit shall carry as basic privileges:
i. The right to use the title Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit or Distinguished Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit;
ii. The right to continue to be affiliated with the University of Regina including:
a. Continued access to University library resources;
b. Invitations to Convocation ceremonies as a member of the platform party; and,
c. Such other privileges as the University may from time to time grant.
Those who are awarded Distinguished Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit may receive additional privileges at the discretion of the relevant Dean, to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
The title Chancellor Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit shall carry as basic privileges:
i. The right to use the title Chancellor Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit;
ii. The right to continue to be affiliated with the University of Regina including:
a. Attendance at Senate meetings and Convocation ceremonies as a member of the platform party; and,
b. Such other privileges as the University may from time to time grant.
Consequences for Noncompliance
- Individuals who are not in good standing will not receive the honorary title of Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit.
- The title Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit can be revoked by decision of the President for actions unbecoming a representative of the University holding this honourific title.
Processes
Awarding the title Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit to retiring academic members
The President approves the awarding of the title of Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit upon notification by Human Resources, who will ensure that the eligibility criteria for awarding the title as outlined in the policy have been met.
In the case of an academic member from a federated college holding an applicable academic rank, the President of the federated college may recommend to the President of the University of Regina that the individual be awarded the title Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit. The recommendation will ensure that the eligibility criteria for awarding the title as outlined in the policy have been met.
The President will advise the individual, in writing, that the title of Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit has been granted.
Awarding the title Distinguished Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit
Nominees must have retired within the last 3 years to be considered. Posthumous nominations are not normally accepted.
The nomination process is confidential, and, as such, nominators and committees involved in the process will not inform the nominees at any stage of the process that they have been nominated for conferral of the title.
Nominations for Distinguished Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit must originate within the University and are made and received in accordance with the internal nomination process for each academic unit or federated college. Nomination letters must include sufficient information about the nominee’s achievements to warrant serious consideration. Self-nominations are not accepted.
The relevant Dean (President for federated colleges) submits approved recommendations supported by a statement of rationale and the nominee’s curriculum vitae to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and the Vice-President (Research), The Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and the Vice-President (Research) review nominations and, when a suitable candidate is identified, make a recommendation to the President for final approval. The President notifies recipients of the title when approved.
Because Distinguished Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit is awarded only exceptionally, there may be years when none are awarded. No more than three (3) Distinguished Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit awards will be granted in a single year.
Awarding the title Chancellor Emeritus/Emerita
At the completion of their final term of office, the Chief Governance Officer will ensure that the eligibility criteria for awarding the title as outlined in the policy have been met. If so, a former Chancellor shall automatically be granted Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit status and the corresponding honourary title.
The Chief Governance Officer will advise the individual, in writing, that the honorary title of Chancellor Emeritus/Emerita/Emerit has been granted.