C305: Emeriti Faculty
Approved by: Faculty Senate and UNM President
Effective Date: March 12, 2026
Responsible FS Committee: Faculty Senate Policy Committee
Office Responsible for Administration: Provost and Executive Vice President for Health Sciences (EVPHS)
Revisions to the Policy Rationale, Policy Statement, and Applicability sections of this document must be approved by the Faculty Senate and the UNM President.
Applicability
This Policy applies to all academic UNM departments, including the Health Sciences Center and Branch Community Colleges.
Policy Rationale
The title of Emeriti Faculty recognizes the loyalty and scholarly contributions of retired faculty who meet the eligibility requirements of this Policy.
Policy Statement
The status and title Emeriti is considered for voting faculty (including ex-officio members) of UNM who retire after having served UNM for a minimum of five (5) years. To qualify, the faculty member must have left UNM in good standing which means the faculty member is regarded as having complied with all their professional roles and responsibilities and demonstrated professional ethics.
Revisions to the remaining sections of this document may be amended with the approval of the Faculty Senate Policy Committee and Operations Committees.
Procedures
If a faculty member wishes to request emeriti status, the request must be made within three (3) years of retirement from UNM.
1. Recommendation and Approval
Eligible faculty seeking Emeriti status must receive a recommendation from their department through a vote of the faculty in accordance with written criteria approved by departmental faculty. The departmental written criteria will be included with the recommendation, whether positive or negative, to the college/school dean. The dean shall review departmental recommendations for granting emeritus status and normally abides by the department’s recommendation. If the dean disagrees, the dean may include a letter with the department’s recommendation and submit both to the Provost or EVPHS for approval. Formal notification will be sent to the faculty member by the applicable Office of Academic Affairs with a copy to the department chair.
For eligible ex-officio faculty listed in FH Policy A51: Faculty Constitution Section 1(a), criteria and voting procedures will be determined by the Provost or EVPHS if the ex-officio faculty member applying for emeritus status is not a member of a school, college or department.
2. Appeal
Eligible faculty seeking Emeriti status who have been denied may seek recourse through the Academic Freedom and Tenure (AF&T) committee as in cases of tenure and promotion (FH Policy B6 “Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee.") Emeriti faculty may have their title terminated for reasons outlined in the Faculty Handbook for the University-initiated termination of services of faculty members with tenure following procedures specified in FH Policy B6 “Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee.”
3. Title, Role, and Rights
The conferred title will be the faculty member’s rank at separation with Emeriti added. The title of Emeriti is honorary and without obligation to the recipient. In addition to the right to use the title, the recipient is encouraged to continue to participate in the academic activities of UNM. The recipient also receives a standing invitation to participate in formal academic processions including convocations.
Emeriti faculty may be invited to serve as: a guest lecturer in areas of scholarly expertise; a member of a doctoral or masters committee; an academic advisor to undergraduate honors program; a member of UNM or college/school advisory committee, unless prohibited by the Faculty Handbook; a participant in academic department meetings to the extent permitted by college/school/department policies; in addition to other rights and responsibilities as deemed appropriate. UNM recognizes the loyalty and the continuing scholarly contributions of its Emeriti faculty. In order to continue and facilitate these contributions, departmental chairs and deans should endeavor to provide office, laboratory or studio space, and computer support and software for Emeriti faculty working on behalf of UNM including ongoing teaching and supervision, whether compensated or not, with priority given to non-retired faculty. Emeriti faculty are entitled to email access and UNM standard software. Emeriti faculty shall also be entitled to letters of introduction, institutional identification, and other non-financial privileges enjoyed by non-retired faculty. Emeriti faculty are also entitled to other benefits granted to UNM retirees (see FH Policy A53.1: Policies Applicable to Faculty pertaining to retirement.”)
Definitions
- No specific definitions for this Policy.
Who should read this policy
- Board of Regents
- Professors and academic staff
- Academic deans and other executives, department chairs, directors, and managers
Related Documents
Faculty Handbook:
Contacts
- Direct any questions about this policy to your chair or dean.
History
- July 13, 2010 - Approved by the Provost
- April 27, 2010 - Approved by the Faculty Senate
- April 9, 2010 - Approved as Policy C305 by the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee
