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Faculty Retirement, Distinguished Achievement and Emeritus Policies

Retirement Policy

All matters related to awards for retired faculty are handled by the Retirement and Emeritus Committee. The Committee is comprised of one senior faculty member from each of the academic schools/colleges, the Dean of Faculty, and the Provost.

Retirement Eligibility Requirements:

  • Core Faculty and administrators with faculty rank
  • Official retirement from the university
  • A minimum of 15 years of service at Lesley University
  • Reached the age of 55

Privileges:

  • A Lesley ID card.
  • Use of the library.
  • Use of recreational facilities.
  • A parking pass may be purchased for use in the visitors’ parking areas.
  • Continuation of email address and myLesley account.
  • Access to computer lab, workshops, and technical support.
  • Marching with members of the faculty in ceremonial occasions, such as commencement and convocation.

Distinguished Achievement Award Policy

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Core faculty and administrators with faculty rank
  • Official retirement from the university
  • A minimum of 15 years of service at Lesley University
  • Reached the age of 55

Criteria:

Outstanding achievement in teaching or service or scholarship

Process:

The intention to retire should be filed with both the Office of Human Resources and the school Dean no later than the fall of the academic year of retirement; otherwise the Distinguished Achievement Award cannot be granted until the year following retirement.

The nomination may be initiated by any of the following: self-nomination, faculty member, School Dean, academic supervisor, or alumni.

The nomination letter should include the contributions of the candidate and rationale for awarding Distinguished Achievement status, including the area of award: teaching, service, or scholarship. Nomination letters must be submitted to the School Dean by the 3rd Friday of December.

With a recommendation for approval, the school Dean is to submit the nomination to the Chairperson of the Retirement & Emeritus Committee by the 3rd Monday of January.

The Retirement & Emeritus Committee will review and evaluate the nomination, and if the committee endorses the nomination, a letter of recommendation from the Chair of the Committee is then forwarded to the President by the 2nd Friday of February.

The President evaluates the recommendation of the committee, and if approved, the award is granted.

Privileges:

Retirees with distinguished achievement status shall receive the same privileges for which all retirees are eligible, as follows:

  • A Lesley ID card.
  • Use of the library.
  • Use of recreational facilities.
  • A parking pass may be purchased for use in the visitors’ parking areas.
  • Continuation of email address and myLesley account.
  • Access to computer lab, workshops, and technical support.
  • Marching with members of the faculty in ceremonial occasions, such as commencement and convocation.

Retirees with distinguished achievement status shall also receive the following additional privileges:

  • Commemorative plaque or other memento

Emeritus Policy

Administrative Updates, August 2019

Administrative Clarification, August 2015

Administrative Clarification, August 2013

Revisions Approved by Faculty Assembly, April 2012

Revisions Approved by the Academic Affairs Committee, 2006

Approved by Academic Affairs Committee, April 1997

Approved by Faculty Assembly, February 1997

Administrative Clarification, October 1996

Original Policy Adopted Academic Affairs Committee, February 1993

Eligibility Requirements

  • Core faculty at the rank of either full professor or associate professor
  • Official retirement from the university
  • A minimum of 20 years of service at Lesley University
  • Reached the age of 55

Emeritus status may be granted to core faculty to honor their contributions to Lesley University.

Criteria

  • Merit in teaching, service, scholarship and professional activities
  • Contributions that have had a lasting impact

Process

The intention to retire should be filed with both the Office of Human Resources and the school Dean no later than the fall of the academic year of retirement; otherwise emeritus status cannot be granted until the year following retirement. There are two processes by which core faculty may be awarded emeritus status:

At the rank of full professor:

  • School Dean sends nomination directly to President (cc to committee chair) by 3rd Friday of December
  • President presents nominees to Board of Trustees in March meeting

 

At the rank of associate professor:

  • The faculty member, supervisor, dean or alumnus submits a nomination letter that includes contributions of the candidate and rationale for awarding emeritus status to the school dean by the 3rd Friday of December
  • If the Dean supports the nomination, they forward the candidate's name and nomination letter to the Chair of Retirement and Emeritus committee by the 3rd Monday of January
  • Committee reviews and evaluates the nomination
  • If the nomination is endorsed, the Chair sends a letter of recommendation to the President by the 2nd Friday of February
  • If approved, the President presents nominees to Board of Trustees in their March meeting

Emeritus Privileges

Retirees with emeritus status shall receive the same privileges for which all retirees are eligible as follows:

  • A Lesley ID card.
  • Use of the library.
  • Use of recreational facilities.
  • A parking pass may be purchased for use in the visitors’ parking areas.
  • Continuation of email address and myLesley account.
  • Access to computer lab, workshops, and technical support.
  • Marching with members of the faculty in ceremonial occasions, such as commencement and convocation.

Retirees with emeritus status shall also receive the following additional privileges:

  • Commemorative plaque or other memento.
  • Free registration, tuition and fees for courses, subject to space availability and instructor approval.
  • ID cards with emeritus designation.
  • Eligible to serve on a research project or grant as determined by the department chair, with the approval of the provost.
  • A minimum of shared office space with a desk, file cabinet, bookcase, basic telephone connection, computer access and some clerical support.