The University of Western Australia

University Policy on: Award of the Title of Emeritus Professor

Purpose of the policy and summary of issues it addresses:

This policy deals with the awarding of the title of Emeritus Professor.

The purpose of the policy is to:

• recognise professors who have provided long standing service to the University; and
• allow professors to continue to use the title,

following their retirement.

Definitions:

In this policy and any associated procedures,

"University" means The University of Western Australia.

"Professor" is a person who has been a level E full Professor, or Winthrop Professor or professorial fellow of the University;

Policy statement:

1 General Principles

1.1 Awarding the title of Emeritus Professor enables the University to acknowledge professors who have provided meritorious and longstanding service to the University.

1.2 Emeritus Professors are entitled to use the title of professor in accordance with this policy.

2 Eligibility

2.1 Professors of the University who retire and who have satisfactorily discharged the duties of a professor are eligible for nomination for the award of the title of Emeritus Professor provided they meet the length of service criteria in 2.6.

2.2 Professors of the University who resign to take up another academic appointment are not eligible for nomination for the award of the title of Emeritus Professor by the University.

2.3 Professors of the University who resign to take up non-academic positions are eligible to apply for the award of the title of Emeritus Professor upon their subsequent retirement.

2.4 In exceptional cases, such as when a professor has resigned to take up a distinguished public position, the professor is eligible for consideration for the award of the title of Emeritus Professor upon resignation from the University rather than upon retirement.

2.5 In exceptional circumstances, a retired person who has not been a professor of the University but who has met all of the conditions set out 2.5.1, 2.5.2 and 2.5.3, is eligible for consideration for the award of the title of Emeritus Professor:

2.5.1 The person has made a special or exceptional contribution to knowledge as recognised, for example, by the receipt of a major international award.

2.5.2 The person's special or exceptional contribution to knowledge has been developed in close association with the University.

2.5.3 The person continues to be associated with the University.

2.6 To be eligible in terms of 2.1, 2.3 or 2.4 a person must, in normal circumstances, have at least ten years of continuous service prior to retirement, inclusive of periods as a non-professor.

2.6.1 In special circumstances, such as exceptional or distinguished service, a professor of the University may be eligible for nomination if they have at least five years of continuous service inclusive of periods as a non-professor.

2.6.2 Persons who have had breaks in service may be considered for the award of the title of Emeritus Professor if they have had a continuous association with the University during the relevant period.

3 Appeals Mechanism

3.1 A retiring professor who has not been nominated by the dean may appeal against that decision.

3.2 In the case of an appeal under 3.1, the Chair of Academic Board convenes a meeting of the Appeals Committee to determine whether or not a nomination is to go forward to the Academic Board.

3.3 The Appeals Committee comprises:

• the Chair of the Academic Board, as Chair;
• the Vice-Chancellor or nominee;
• the Director of Human Resources or nominee;
• a member of the Senate appointed by the Senate; and
• a professor of the University appointed by the Academic Board from outside the Faculty of the appellant.

3.3.1 The Academic Secretary is the Executive Officer of the Appeals Committee.

3.4 The Appeals Committee may inform itself in any manner it chooses but must give the appellant and the dean concerned an opportunity to make written and/or oral submissions.

3.5 The decision of the Appeals Committee is final within the University.

4 Rights and Obligations of Emeritus Professors

4.1 An Emeritus Professor, for purposes of courtesy and on ceremonial occasions, is regarded as a professor of the University, but is not a member of the Academic Board or, solely by reason of being an Emeritus Professor, of any faculty.

4.2 Award of the title of Emeritus Professor does not confer an appointment or employment status.

4.3 An Emeritus Professor does not have the rights of an employee in relation to such matters as office space, parking, computing facilities or other school/faculty resources.*

4.4 An Emeritus Professor who wishes to continue an involvement with the University for example by supervising research students, applying for research grants, or engaging in research or teaching, must seek an appointment as a Senior Honorary (Research) Fellow.**

5 Removal of Title

5.1 The Senate reserves the right to remove the title of Emeritus Professor in certain circumstances, such as where the person has been convicted of a serious criminal offence, or where damage may be caused to the reputation of the University by having a continued association with the person.

Footnotes:

*Current practice is that Emeritus Professors may make use of the University Library as if they were employees of the University. Further, under current University Club rules, Emeritus Professors are eligible for membership of that club.

**Refer to the University Policy on Senior Honorary (Research) Fellows for further details.

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