Emeriti Status for UIndy Staff

Definitions

• Emeriti – an honorary designation conferred upon eligible staff members who have separated from the University. Emeriti status is conferred to recognize the meritorious contributions of eligible employees to the mission and accomplishments of the University of Indianapolis during their careers.
• Posthumous Emeriti – an honorary designation conferred upon eligible deceased staff who have separated from the University.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Nominee must have separated or have given notice of his/her intent to voluntarily separate from his/her position at the University of Indianapolis.
• The Nominee served as a full-time staff member at the University of Indianapolis for a period of at least ten (10) consecutive years. In calculating the ten (10) year period, credit shall be given for years of service by an eligible full-time staff member who started at the University in a faculty capacity but then transitioned to a staff or administrative role.
• There must be evidence of the extraordinary and meritorious contributions of the Nominee to the fulfillment of the mission and programs of the University.
• The Nominee must have an established record of service that is broadly recognized across the campus.

Other eligibility considerations:

• If separation is a result of a disability, the Nominee must meet the criteria listed above with the exception of the 10 (ten) year service requirement.
• Individuals with dual faculty and staff appointments are eligible for consideration only under one Emeriti plan – the staff plan or the faculty plan. 

Nominees will go through the same vetting process as those in the Emeriti Faculty program. It is also proposed that for one year’s time, staff from previous years may also be nominated to further include those who did not have the opportunity for inclusion at the time of their respective departures/retirement. Due to this consideration for the first year only, all retroactive nominations should be submitted to Melodie Kent no later than July 1, 2025.

Responsibilities

Emeriti recipients are expected to remain in good standing with the University. Emeriti recipients will help to build the reputation of the University and serve as an advocate for the mission of the University. Emeriti recipients are expected to support the University in a variety of ways including, but not limited to:

• Participating in public ceremonies such as homecoming, and ad hoc social functions
• Serving as ambassadors for the University at mutually agreed upon community events
• Be willing to provide expertise or networking related to their professional activities

Benefits of Emeriti Status

• Use of the emeriti designation in continuation of the recipient’s professional endeavors after separation from the University.
• Pass or use of ID card for admissions to athletic and most performance events on campus
• Free membership for tennis center
• Discounted rate for the use of Ruth Lilly Fitness Center
• Pass or use of ID for library use (excluding ILL or other fee-based services)
• Invitations to the faculty/staff holiday event, Faculty/Staff Institute, retirement celebrations, and other campus events
• Use of a University email account (email access will be removed after six months of non-use)
• University parking pass upon request and at no cost (contact UIPD)
• Attendance at periodic development events and activities
• Inclusion in the Emeriti Faculty/Staff online listing
• Selection as emeriti staff status does not include a monetary benefit

Process

1. Nominations for Emeriti status may be submitted by any current or former employee by writing a letter of nomination to the Executive Vice President & Provost. Nominations must be submitted to the Executive Vice President & Provost no later than twelve (12) months following the candidate’s separation from the University. For the 2024-2025 academic year only, this rule is waived to ensure that all previously ineligible staff members may have a chance to be nominated. All retroactive nominations must be submitted to Melodie Kent by July 1, 2025.
2. Nominations may be submitted at any time and successful Nominees will be recognized in the subsequent Spring or Fall commencement following the award of Emeriti status.
3. Nominations must include:
   1. A detailed history of the candidate’s service to the University (CV/resume).
   2. At least three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals professionally associated with the candidate and which demonstrate how the candidate brought honor and/or recognition to the University, with at least one (1) such letter of recommendation being from the staff member’s direct supervisor or up-line supervisor. The latter requirement is waived in academic year 2024-2025 for those who are being retroactively nominated. A summary of the candidate’s contributions to the fulfillment of the mission and programs of the University must also be included.
4. The Executive Vice President & Provost will review and select candidates to recommend and forward to the President for consideration. Upon receipt of recommendations, the President will determine, in his/her discretion, which applications will be submitted to the Board of Trustees for their consideration in accordance with the following schedule:
5. For nominations submitted before March – the Board of Trustees may consider the Nominee during its annual June meeting.
6. For Nominations made before August - the Board of Trustees may consider the Nominee during its annual October meeting. July 1, 2025 is the last retroactive submission date.
7. Nominees approved for Emeriti status will be notified by the office of the Executive Vice President and Provost following the meeting of the Board of Trustees at which the nomination was approved.

The University reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify or discontinue these benefits at any time. Revocation may occur when it has been determined that the individual’s conduct (before or after receiving Emeriti status was conferred) reflects poorly on the values and mission of the University or negatively impacts its reputation in the local and academic communities.

 Emeriti status is a privilege and not a right. Such a designation is awarded at the discretion of the University Trustees, President, and Executive Vice President and Provost. No staff member shall be automatically entitled to Emeriti status.