Emeritus Status for Academic Staff

Policy

CALS academic staff members who are eligible to activate their annuities from the Wisconsin Retirement System and who have completed ten or more years of service at the University may be conferred the honorary title of emeritus/emerita pursuant to campus policies. See the Unclassified Personnel Policies and Procedures Chapter 20, Privileges upon emeritus appointment are listed in the UPPP. Academic staff members holding limited titles are granted emeritus status in their limited appointment.

By State of Wisconsin rules, no agreement or contract to re-hire a Wisconsin Retirement System annuitant may be made prior to the date of retirement. However, an agreement to re-hire the individual may be made after retirement. Reemployment may begin no earlier than 30 days after retirement. Emeritus academic staff members may only be re-employed on fixed term terminal contracts with a specific end date. The appointment should use a title appropriate to the duties to be performed and can be processed on a PVL waiver.

Procedures

Summary of Procedures for departments

Recommendations for emeritus/emerita status for should be supported by the Department Executive Committee, where applicable, or the center or unit head and transmitted by the Chair to the CALS Dean's office. If the academic staff member holds an appointment in more than one department, the departments are expected to confer with each other to coordinate the recommendation. Recommendations sent to the dean must include:

1. A narrative summary citing the professional accomplishments and/or record of University service of the academic staff member, preferably one page in length;
2. A copy of the letter of retirement and the expected date of retirement;
3. A confirmation of the Executive Committee recommendation.

Recommendations should be addressed to the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and sent to the attention of the Executive Associate Dean.

The Dean will consult with the Associate Deans of the College in making a recommendation to the Office of the Chancellor. The Dean will forward the necessary documentation to the Chancellor, in care of the Office of Human Resources, with a copy to the Department.

If approved, the Chancellor's Office forwards a confirmation of the award of emeritus/emerita status directly to the academic staff member and department.

Recommendations for emeritus status may be submitted at any time throughout the year. Recommendations for emeritus status retiring at or prior to the end of a fiscal or academic year should be considered at the time of the budget preparation, typically in February. These recommendations will be submitted along with the budget process to be forwarded to the Regents in June. See also Chapter 6 of the each year's Budget Instructions.