Emeritus Faculty Status
Key Contacts
If you have questions, please contact your Department Human Resources Representative.
Applicability
Faculty transitioning to emeritus status
Policy Purpose and Description
This policy provides details about the transition of CLAS faculty to emeritus status. It also collates information on the limited privileges conferred upon emeritus faculty by the University of Iowa. Nothing in this policy supersedes or diverges from the overarching policy information found in the University Policy Manual Emeritus Status for Retirees and Provost Faculty Appointment, Faculty Classifications page - Emeritus policies.
Definitions
See definitions under the University Policy Manual Emeritus Status for Retirees (III.11.7).
Procedure
The status and title of "Emeritus" are not entitlements; rather, they are conferred upon certain faculty members (tenured, clinical, or instructional) who retire after having served the University under honorable circumstances for a significant period of time, normally defined as 10 or more years of continuous service. In other cases, emeritus status may be conferred at the discretion of UI central administration or the Iowa Board of Regents.
Retiring faculty eligible for emeritus status will work with the Faculty Affairs Director and the Associate Dean for the Arts and Humanities or the Associate Dean for the Natural, Mathematical, and Social Sciences as appropriate. CLAS Human Resources will provide a letter for each retiring faculty member outlining the details of their last official workday, the process for completing the final time record, and benefits and insurance information. Questions about these topics should be directed to the departmental HR representative.
Limited Privileges
As per University policy, emeritus status affords faculty members the following rights and privileges:
- A free parking tag; note that this is considered a taxable benefit;
- Listing as an active member of the University of Iowa community for the purposes of off-campus access to online library services;
- Membership in the Association of Emeritus Faculty.
University Spaces and Property
Emeritus faculty may not retain the use of private on-campus spaces such as offices, studios, or laboratories. All retirees, including emeritus faculty, are expected to relinquish all university spaces previously assigned to them upon their final working day. Only faculty who continue to serve as Principal Investigator on an active research grant may continue to utilize laboratory and office space for the duration of the grant, with the prior agreement of departmental leadership and the Associate Dean for Research and Infrastructure. Emeritus faculty in paid status due to continuing teaching or other collegiate work may be able to retain office space for a limited duration, again with the agreement of departmental leadership and the Associate Dean for Research and Infrastructure.
Recognizing that closing a long-standing laboratory or studio space may take some time and require the assistance of busy departmental personnel, in some cases there may be an allowable clear-out period following the final working day. Any emeritus faculty needing additional time to vacate space must meet prior to their last working day with departmental leadership and the Associate Dean for Research and Infrastructure to discuss.
All University of Iowa property, including computers, monitors, printers, office chairs, bookshelves, desks, and other furniture must be left in the departing faculty member’s office, laboratory, or studio. University procurement cards (PCards) and all keys must be returned to the departmental administrator on the last working day.
Information Technology
Faculty planning a transition to emeritus status should meet with the University Information Technology Services (ITS) consultant serving their department as soon as possible. Their local IT consultant will help them navigate the mandatory return of all university-owned equipment while ensuring the preservation of university data. They will also help transitioning faculty understand the nature and level of continuing IT access and services provided to emeritus faculty. Faculty planning a transition to emeritus status will find it helpful to review the Tech Services after Leaving the University (Retirees and Emeritus) policy pages.
Forms
N/A
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are emeritus faculty eligible for the CLAS Computer Replacement (CCR) program?
A. No. CCR is not available to any retirees; please see the CLAS Computer Replacement policy for details.
Q. Can I hire employees for research if I have grant funding?
A. Yes, but a current university employee will need to act as their supervisor.
Q. I have a time-limited University of Iowa-credited research project (i.e., a book, substantial scholarly article, exhibition, recording, or performance) that I wish to complete while in emeritus status. May I continue to utilize my CLAS-provided computer equipment and/or space?
A. As per the policy above, emeritus faculty must generally relinquish all University equipment and assigned spaces. In particularly meritorious cases, the Associate Dean for Research and Infrastructure may consider creating a limited Memorandum of Understanding with you to facilitate completion of the project.
Related Information
Tech Services after Leaving the University (Retirees and Emeritus)
UI Library Services for Retired and Emeritus UI Faculty and Staff
Revision History
Last updated 10/27/2025