Administrative number: 5-1A
Responsible office: Human Resources
Responsible officer: Director of Human Resources

Emeriti and Retired with Distinction Procedure (Draft)

Purpose:

This procedure describes the eligibility requirements, criteria, roles, responsibilities, and timeline used in awarding Winona State University (WSU) faculty and administrators with the prestigious status of faculty emeriti or retired with distinction.

Rationale for Revision and Major Changes:

(This is for stakeholder review, not for publishing)

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

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

Suggested Stakeholder feedback deadline:

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

Procedure:

A. Eligibility

The following eligibility guidelines apply:

  • Retiring WSU Inter Faculty Organization (IFO) or Administrative Service Faculty (ASF) faculty members with ten or more years of service may be nominated for emeriti status.

  • Retiring WSU administrators with ten or more years of service may be nominated for retired with distinction status.

  • Any former WSU faculty member or administrator may be nominated for emeriti or retired with distinction status posthumously.

B. Criteria

The criteria for nomination and selection for these awards are consistent performance and high achievement in areas such as the following:

  • Teaching excellence

  • Scholarly achievement

  • Contributions to student growth and development

  • Service to the university and community

C. Nomination, Review, and Approval Process

  1. By the second Friday in January, the Human Resources Office (HR) verifies whether a faculty or administrator who has submitted an official notice of retirement has met the university service criteria.

  2. HR notifies immediate supervisors of eligible retirees in their department/area and provides a copy of the Emeriti and Retired with Distinction Policy 5-1, Procedure 5-1a and the nomination form. Department chairs are included in this communication if the retiring faculty member serves in an academic department.

  3. The department/area considers whether the retiree has demonstrated consistent performance and high achievement as defined above.

  4. The department/area nominates selected individuals to the immediate supervisor using the nomination form, along with documentation highlighting a record of outstanding achievement and distinguished service during the retiree’s career at the university.

  5. The immediate supervisor reviews the nomination and makes a recommendation to the appropriate vice president.

  6. The Vice President reviews the nomination and makes a final recommendation to the President.

  7. Nominations and supporting documentation are submitted to the President by the last Friday in February.

  8. The President issues the final recommendation and/or approval.

D. Recognition

The President’s Office generates framed certificates for those approved.

Honors are conferred on personnel at the Employee Recognition Celebration held in the spring. Faculty will also be recognized at Commencement.

Related documents:

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.

Authorizing Policy:

History:

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

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