Emeritus Status

The By-Laws of the University of Connecticut state that when particular conditions are met, faculty will be nominated for emeritus status. In these instances, once faculty have retired, Human Resources provide information to the Provost’s Office who present recommendations for approval by the Board of Trustees. No action is required by faculty members, Department Heads, or Deans, for these cases to move forward for approval by the Board of Trustees.

University By-Laws on Emeritus Status:

Section XIV.K.2

1. The faculty member holds the rank of Associate Professor or full Professor or equivalent titles for clinical, in-residence and extension (CIRE) at the University of Connecticut.
2. The faculty member has served at the University of Connecticut for at least five years.

There shall be a standing University of Connecticut Emeritus Committee. Faculty members who do not meet both conditions described in Section 2a and Section 2b above may become emeriti by vote of the Board of Trustees or the Health Center Board of Directors following recommendation of the President and the Emeritus Committee. Other professional staff are also eligible for this designation following recommendation of the President and the Emeritus Committee.

Section XIV.K.4

1. Emeritus status is a privilege, not a right, and can be revoked at any time at the request of the President and/or Retirement Committee with approval of the Board of Trustees.

UConn Emeritus Committee Information & Procedures

As per the By-Laws of the University of Connecticut, Article XIV – The University Staff, Section K, there shall be a standing University of Connecticut Emeritus Committee. Faculty members who do not meet both conditions for emeritus status (1. rank of Associate Professor or full professor or equivalent titles for clinical, in-residence and extension (CIRE) at University of Connecticut, and 2. at least five years of service) may become emeriti by vote of the Board of Trustees or the Health Center Board of Directors following recommendation of the Emeritus Committee and the President.

The title of emeritus status requires that faculty or appropriate academic staff go above and beyond the expectations of research, teaching, and/or service for their position. Candidates for emeritus status must excel in one or more of these three areas, and thus have helped to elevate the university. The emeritus committee will only recommend the title of emeritus when faculty or staff meet these criteria, and also have strong support from their department head and dean. Questions related to applications or emeritus status in general can be directed to the Provost’s Office or the Chair of the Emeritus Committee.

Departments/Colleges/Schools may nominate faculty or, more unusually, professional staff, for emeritus status. Faculty who meet the automatic criteria for emeritus status do not need to take any action. To receive consideration by the Emeritus Committee, a packet of materials consisting of the following should be submitted by the Dean or Department Head to the Provost’s Office (provost@uconn.edu):

• A strong letter of support from the Department Head
• A strong letter of support from the Dean
• The CV of the retiree nominated for emeritus status

Deans and Department Heads may use the below guidelines and template to aid them in writing their letter of support.

• Guidelines for writing a strong letter of support from the Department Head/Dean
• Sample Department Head support letter

The Emeritus Committee will meet twice yearly to consider cases. There are two deadlines a year for submission of materials to the committee: November 1 and April 1.