1.0 Policy Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to document and define the principles and policies by which Emeritus/Emerita appointments are made by the Brown Corporation to eligible members of the Faculty and Senior Administration.
2.0 To Whom the Policy Applies
This policy applies to all Brown University Faculty and Senior Administrators who are eligible to be considered for Emeritus/Emerita appointments and members of the Administration with responsibility for carrying out and administering the policy.
3.0 Policy Statement
The Emeritus or Emerita appointment is made by the Brown Corporation to recognize distinguished and meritorious full-time service over an extended and continuous period of time to Brown University. Individuals appointed to an Emeritus or Emerita position will:
- be sixty (60) years of age or older at the time of appointment;
- meet all of the eligibility requirements below appropriate to their rank or position;
- have a demonstrated record of distinguished and meritorious service to the University; and
- be retiring or resigning from their full-time position of appointment at the University prior to assuming appointment as Emeritus or Emerita.
The Emeritus or Emerita appointment is made by, and only by, the Corporation of Brown University, in its sole discretion, acting upon the recommendation of the President, and may be rescinded and revoked by the Corporation in the event of misconduct or other actions which are contrary to distinguished and meritorious service to the University.
3.1 Eligibility and for Emeritus/Emerita Appointments
The Brown Corporation, in its sole discretion, may confer Emeritus or Emerita appointments to individuals who meet the requirements under 3.0 above and the following qualifications appropriate to their position or rank:
Faculty
- Faculty with fifteen (15) or more years of continuous full-time service in any of the following ranks:
- Associate or Full Professors (with tenure)
- Associate or Full Professors (Research)
- Senior Lecturers or Distinguished Senior Lecturers
- Associate or Full Professor of the Practice
- Associate or Full Professor with a non-tenurable faculty appointment specific to the Division of Biology and Medicine and/or the School of Public Health, including in designated tracks within those ranks and with titles modified by “Clinical” or “Clinician Educator.”
In rare and exceptional circumstances the Provost may recommend to the President an Emeritus or Emerita appointment for an officer of instruction or research who does not strictly meet the criteria above (e.g., a full professor appointed late in their career who has been at Brown less than fifteen years at time of retirement or an individual resigning their position prior to the age or years of service criteria for a position of exceptional leadership in academia or the public sector). Nominations under this provision shall be limited to individuals who have provided exceptionally distinguished and meritorious service to Brown over an extended period of time.
Senior Administrators
The President, after consultation with the Provost and/or other members of the President’s Cabinet, may recommend emeritus/emerita appointments for the following senior administrators:
- Senior academic administrators (Provost or Deans of Schools) with ten (10) or more years of continuous full-time service in that senior academic administrative position.
- Senior administrators other than Provost or Deans of Schools (vice president or above) with fifteen (15) or more years of continuous full-time service in a position of University-wide administrative leadership reporting to the President, Provost or another member of the President’s Cabinet.
- Note: The minimum age criteria in Section 3.0 does not apply to individuals completing service in a senior academic administrator position (Provost or Deans of Schools) or their final term as President of the University.
President of the University
- The Corporation may confer an emeritus/emerita appointment on the President of the University upon conclusion of their final term as President and member of the Board of Fellows.
3.2 Rights and Privileges of Emeritus and Emerita Appointments
Individuals holding an Emeritus or Emerita appointment shall be entitled to all rights and privileges afforded to that rank. The Office of the Provost shall maintain a list of the benefits and privileges of an Emeritus/Emerita appointment. Subject to change from time to time, these are intended to maintain a continuing connection to the University and include such privileges as a University email account, a Brown Identification Card, library privileges, Faculty Club and athletic center memberships, and the ability to participate in various departmental and University activities. Individuals holding emeritus or emerita appointments do not receive pay from the University unless they simultaneously hold an adjunct, research, teaching, or visiting appointment at Brown.
Emeritus and Emerita professors (and not emeritus administrators without faculty rank), remain members of the faculty of Brown University with all the privileges appertaining to that rank except they are no longer tenured, if they previously were, and they are not voting members of the faculty unless they are otherwise qualified as voting members of the faculty by the Faculty Rules and Regulations.
3.3 Appropriate Use and Representation of Emeritus or Emerita Appointment and Title
Individuals holding an Emeritus or Emerita appointment may use the title associated with that position for purposes of identification in print or media or other settings subject to the following conditions:
- The word “Emeritus” or “Emerita” must be clearly used, normally at the end of the title or rank held prior to retirement or resignation, to clearly indicate the individual’s status with regard to the University (e.g., they are no longer an active employee of the University or are no longer serving in the role for which they hold Emeritus or Emerita status).
- The Emeritus or Emerita appointment and title as voted by the Corporation and conveyed to the individual in a written letter of appointment is the official title which may be used. Previously held titles (e.g., named chairs of a term appointment or prior administrative or academic titles) may not be used.
- Holders of a named chair upon retirement or resignation will normally have that position included in their Emeritus or Emerita appointment, subject to the terms of the endowed chair and associated gift agreement.
3.4 Revocation of Emeritus or Emerita Appointment
The awarding of an Emeritus or Emerita appointment is a privilege afforded by the Corporation to recognize distinguished and meritorious service to the University, and as such may be revoked at any time by vote of the Corporation. Individuals holding an Emeritus or Emerita appointment remain subject to the University Code of Conduct with regard to activities or behavior on the Brown University campus and misconduct or other actions contrary to a record of distinguished and meritorious service to the University, prior or subsequent to retirement or resignation from the University, shall be grounds for consideration of revocation of an Emeritus or Emerita appointment.
4.0 Definitions
For the purpose of this policy, the terms below have the following definitions:
- Associate or Full Professors (with tenure):
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Full Professors and Associate Professors who have received tenure at Brown University as awarded by the Corporation.
- Associate or Full Professors (Research):
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Full Professors and Associate Professors who devote their primary efforts to research, the area of such research having been identified by the division, department or program as being an integral part of its mission.
- Associate or Full Professors (non-tenured):
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Full Professors and Associate Professors holding term appointments, normally in the Division of Biology and Medicine or the School of Public Health, who are physicians, research scientists, health or allied science professionals, or community-based practitioners. They may be employees of Brown University or of an affiliated organization.
- Professor of the Practice:
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Faculty who are hired to enhance Brown’s pedagogical mission and whose qualifications are earned primarily through professional experience rather than scholarly credentials.
- Senior Lecturer or Distinguished Senior Lecturer:
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Individuals with appropriate professional qualifications who are appointed to teach one or more courses but who are not expected to fulfill the requirements of scholarly research that are expected of faculty who hold professorial rank.
5.0 Responsibilities
All individuals to whom this policy applies are responsible for becoming familiar with and following this policy. University supervisors and employees with student oversight duties are responsible for promoting the understanding of this policy and for taking appropriate steps to help ensure and enforce compliance with it.
The Office of the Provost: Responsible for interpreting this policy, resolving disputes concerning its interpretation and application, and recommending changes to the President from time to time.
6.0 Consequences for Violating this Policy
Failure to comply with this and related policies is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension without pay, or termination of employment or association with the University, in accordance with applicable (e.g., staff, faculty, student) disciplinary procedures.
7.0 Related Information
Brown University is a community in which employees are encouraged to share workplace concerns with University leadership. Additionally, Brown’s Anonymous Reporting Hotline allows anonymous and confidential reporting on matters of concern online or by phone (877-318-9184).
The following information complements and supplements this document. The information is intended to help explain this policy and is not an all-inclusive list of policies, procedures, laws and requirements.
7.1 Related Policies
7.2 Related Procedures
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7.3 Related Forms
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7.4 Frequently Asked Questions
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7.5 Other Related Information
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Policy Owner and Contact(s)
Policy Owner: Provost
Policy Approved by: The Corporation of Brown University
Contact Information:
Policy History
Policy Issue Date:
Policy Effective Date:
Policy Update/Review Summary:
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