Professor Emeritus

The title "Emeritus" may be awarded by the Board of Visitors upon retirement to a distinguished tenured faculty member at the rank of associate professor or professor, with at least 15 years of full-time service to the University. Professors emeriti shall be included in faculty lists, receive invitations to attend appropriate University functions, be considered for appropriate grants by the University Research Committee, and may continue to use physical facilities, if available, at the University for study and research as approved by the Provost with the approval of the President.

To recognize those distinguished individuals of the academic community at Norfolk State University who, in addition to rendering long and faithful service to the University, have unselfishly made outstanding contributions above and beyond those expected of all conscientious employees, the University Faculty Recognition Committee will review nominations of faculty to receive the Emeritus title. This title is to be considered the highest honor the academic community can bestow upon one of its members. The nomination process shall be open to anyone wishing to submit a nomination.

Committee Membership

The membership of the University Faculty Recognition Committee as specified in the Norfolk State University Teaching Faculty Handbook (Section 3.10) will serve as the Committee for “emeritus” designation.

The following guidelines are to be used:

• Each person who accepts the nomination must have been a full-time employee of the University and have a minimum of 15 years of service; must be retiring by reason of age or disability, and must have held the rank of associate professor or professor for at least five years immediately prior to retiring.
• By October 15 of each academic year, the Provost will make available to the Faculty Recognition Committee the names of all persons who are eligible for consideration.
• Upon receipt of all of the names of persons who are eligible, the committee will, by utilizing all available information, develop a profile of each individual’s accomplishments while at Norfolk State University, with particular emphasis placed on the contributions made by the individual to the growth of the University and to the academic achievements of students. The committee shall also establish a definition for “distinguished” faculty.
• Should the committee nominate individuals after critical review of their contributions, it shall send the names of the nominees and their profiles to the members of the faculty and administration by March 1. Two weeks after the submission of materials to the faculty and the administration, the faculty and administration will vote on the nominees, using a secret ballot prepared and distributed by the committee. The decision shall be in favor of each nominee who receives an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the persons voting.
• Upon receipt of an affirmative vote, the Committee will forward the recommendation to the Provost. The Provost will attach his or her recommendation thereto and forward the material to the President. The President, in turn, will attach his or her recommendations and forward the recommendations to the Board of Visitors who will then consider this material when acting on the appointment of the candidate to Emeritus status. The Provost will publicize the final decision to the candidate(s) and to the University at Fall Convocation.