Emeriti and Retired with Distinction Policy (Draft)

Purpose:

This policy establishes how Winona State University (WSU) nominates and confers eligible faculty and administrators with the prestigious honor of emeriti status and retired with distinction status.

Rationale for Revision and Major Changes:

(This is for stakeholder review, not for publishing)

This policy draft is a proposed update for a legacy regulation:

• WSU 5-1 Emeritus/Emerita/Retired with Distinction Regulation

This policy now designates the Director of Human Resources as the responsible officer. This version of the policy provides definitions for “emerita” and “retired with distinction.” The updated procedure describes the nomination, review, and approval process to conform with recent practices.

Suggested Stakeholder feedback deadline:

Feedback should be provided using this WSU form by 11/01/2024.

Policy:

In accordance with Minnesota State Board Policy 4.8, the WSU President may confer the honor of emeriti status on eligible Inter Faculty Organization (IFO) and Administrative Service Faculty (ASF) members who are retiring. The WSU President also has the authority to confer retired with distinction status on eligible administrators.

These awards are reserved for faculty and administrators who have served the university for at least ten years and have established a record of exemplary service in their role, demonstrating consistent performance and high achievement in areas such as teaching excellence, scholarly achievement, contributions to student growth and development, and service to the university and the community. Individuals selected for this award are nominated by their department/area and recommended by their immediate supervisor before being approved by the President.

A nomination may be made posthumously in those cases in which death precedes the possibility of retirement.

Honors are conferred at the Employee Recognition Celebration held in the spring.

Related documents:

• Minnesota State Policy 4.8 (Emeritus Status)
• WSU Regulation_5-1_Emeritus Status Nomination Form.pdf
• WSU Regulation_5-1_Retired With Distinction Nomination Form.pdf

Related definitions:

[5-1] Emeriti:

An honorary status conferred upon select retired faculty to recognize outstanding achievement and service. The term emeriti referred to a mixed gender group. Those selected for the honor may utilize their preferred status of emerita (female), emeritus (male), or emerit (gender non-specific).

[5-1] Retired with Distinction:

An honorary status conferred on selected retiring administrators to recognize outstanding achievement and service.

Subsequent Procedure:

• 5-1A Emeriti and Retired with Distinction Procedure (Draft)

History:

Dates of Revisions: 02/19/2009, 12/08/2009.

Adoption date: 08/18/1988
Implementation date: 01/01/2099