Professor Emeritus Appointment - Instruction Policy - 60160

This policy addressed the appointment of retired employees of the college who hold faculty rank to the status of Professor Emeritus and the rights and privileges accompanying such appointments. It complies with applicable policies of the Virginia Community College System as delineated in Section 3.1.2 of the VCCS Policy Manual.

2.1 The rank of Professor Emeritus is an honorary appointment made by the President and bestowed on retiring faculty for meritorious service to students and significant contributions to the college community. A faculty member may be approved for emeritus status posthumously, whether death is prior to retirement or after.  The title of Professor Emeritus is reserved for those who held faculty rank (usually that of associate Professor or Professor).  Emeritus faculty status is a privilege and not a right, and it is awarded at the discretion of the college. No faculty member is entitled to emeritus status, and emeritus status may be removed by the community college at any time for any reason.

2.2 The following rights and privileges shall accompany such appointments.

• Listing in the faculty and staff section of the Germanna Community College Catalog, with identification as professor emeritus.
• The option to participate in the academic procession at commencement exercises and other such official college events, marching at the head of the faculty.
• A standing invitation to attend special events, concerts, presentations, or lectures sponsored by the college.
• A college email account
• Library privileges

2.3 Professors emeriti shall be officially so named at a college ceremony each year of their approval by the President. They shall be recognized with their name being added to a Wall of Honor acknowledging their emeritus status.

2.4 In accordance with the applicable policies of the Virginia Community College System and Germanna Community College (GCC), the following criteria must be met at the time of retirement from service with GCC to be eligible for appointment to the rank of professor emeritus.

a. The individual must be (or have been) a full-time employee holding faculty rank (usually that of associate professor or professor) and has retired from the college in good standing.
b. The individual must have a minimum of ten years of service at Germanna Community College.
c. The individual must have made meritorious and significant contributions to students, the community, and to Germanna Community College.

3.1 Within six months before or after retirement, or death, if the award is posthumous, each faculty member who fulfills the eligibility requirements may be considered for recommendation to emeritus status.

3.2 Those who meet these conditions and have demonstrated a high level of distinction in teaching, leadership and service to students and the community may be recommended by a Dean and/or immediate supervisor to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Services.

3.3 The Dean’s recommendation shall document the basis for recommending the Emeritus status with:

1. Letters highlighting achievements and service to students, the community and the college
2. Supporting documents illustrating contributions over the course of many years
3. Recommendations from supervisors, colleagues, former students or clients

3.4 The Vice President shall review the documentation and make a recommendation to the President.  Recommendations will be reviewed by President’s Cabinet to affirm recommendation for final decision. The President will make the final decision and shall inform the faculty member or the family if the award is a posthumous honor.  The title granted will be at the rank held at the time of retirement.

There is no quota on the number of Professors Emeriti awarded in a given year even when a large number of faculty are eligible at once.

VCCS policy manual section 3.1.2

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Workforce

President’s council: April 23, 2009
Leadership council: January 26, 2018