University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Policy Name: University and Distinguished Professor Appointments
Policy Number: LR 403.19
Effective Date: July 1, 2020
Revised Dates: October 20, 2020, February 22, 2019, September 19, 1980
Most Recent Review Date: October 20, 2020 (Faculty Senate)
Policy:
- Background
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock acknowledges outstanding faculty by conferring the honorific titles of “University Professor” and “Distinguished Professor.” Appointment as University Professor or Distinguished Professor is a high honor reserved for only the very best faculty in recognition of sustained excellence in the performance of their duties, as outlined below. The appointments described in this document are strictly honorific and are not intended to be construed as academic or financial promotions. For the purpose of this policy, sitting administrators are not eligible to be nominated for appointment to University or Distinguished Professor. Individuals who have held, or are holding, positions that carry an administrative appointment that is greater than fifty percent (50%) are considered to be administrators and should be three years removed from that position before nomination.
- Criteria
a. Substantive Criteria – University Professorship
Appointment as University Professor is a special honor conferred only upon active faculty in recognition of an extended period of exemplary service in a spirit of collegiality to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and a combination of service in their profession and to the public through their professional activities. In order to achieve this distinction, faculty members must, in addition to having an extended period of documented exemplary service to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, have gained wide recognition at the national or international level for their sustained excellence in service, teaching, research or creative activity germane to their respecti11e disciplines and academic roles Eligibility for designation as University Professor is limited to active tenured faculty who hold the rank of Professor. Generally, a candidate is expected to have served in the rank of professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for 10 years before nomination, have received the highest level evaluation in service awarded by the unit in at least five of the previous 10 years in the unit’s annual review process, and received a unit annual review evaluation of at least satisfactory in all categories, teaching, service and scholarship during the 10 year period.
b. Substantive Criteria – Distinguished Professorship
Appointment as Distinguished Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a special distinction that is reserved for those individuals who are recognized nationally and/or internationally as intellectual leaders in their academic disciplines as a result of extraordinary accomplishments in research, teaching, published works, creative activities in the arts or endeavors of similar merit in other venues.
Eligibility for designation as Distinguished Professor is limited to active tenured faculty who hold the rank of Professor. Generally, a candidate is expected to have served in the rank of professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for 10 years before nomination, and have received the highest level evaluation in scholarship/ research awarded by the unit in at least five of the previous 10 years, and received a departmental annual review evaluation of at least satisfactory in all categories of teaching, service and scholarship during the 10 year period.
Appointment as Distinguished Professor shall only occur when a clear indication exists that an individual so appointed will continue to provide exemplary academic and intellectual leadership and continue his or her professional activities in such a way as to maintain national and international recognition and a commensurate level of accomplishment.
- Policies and Timing
Nominations for appointment to University and Distinguished Professor will follow the applicable policies in Board Policy 405.1 and as well as the established timeline for promotion identified in UA Little Rock Policy: Promotion and Tenure – LR 403.15.
- Documentation/Dossier
Following the letter of nomination the candidate must provide a current resume/CV and information sufficiently detailed so that a candidate can be evaluated in terms of both sustained superior performance as outlined in the resume/CV and letter of nomination and the potential for continued superior performance.
- Process
a. Any University of Arkansas at Little Rock faculty member holding the rank of Professor may nominate himself or herself for appointment as University or Distinguished Professor. Alternatively, any tenured or tenure-track member of the faculty or the department chair of the unit may nominate a Professor for appointment as University or Distinguished Professor. A letter of nomination must set forth the achievements of distinction that warrant the appointment and must be submitted to the appropriate departmental authority.
b. For faculty members with affiliations with multiple colleges, such nominations shall be considered in the department and college or school where the nominee has the greatest percentage of, or principal appointment. Faculty with appointments equally divided among two or more colleges or schools shall be considered by the college or school within which they hold tenure, but in the course of such review, the views of the other appointing schools or colleges shall be sought and considered.
c. All tenured faculty in a unit are eligible to vote for individuals being considered for University or Distinguished Professor, A Nomination for Appointment to University Professor or Distinguished Professor Form must be completed.
d. All nominations of the university and distinguished professors will be reviewed by the unit chair, dean and by the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost.
e. At any point prior to the Chancellor’s recommendation, the nominee may withdraw his/her name from further consideration.
f. Continuing appointment as a University or Distinguished Professor follows the right of continuous appointment as outlined in Board of Trustees Policy 405.1, and shall only occur when clear indication exists that an individual so appointed will continue to provide exemplary academic and intellectual leadership and continue his or her professional activities in such a way as to maintain national and international recognition and a commensurate level of accomplishment.
- Incoming faculty
Eligibility for designation as University Professor or Distinguished Professor may be awarded to incoming faculty who will be awarded tenure and who hold credentials of similar merit from another university or other venues.
Source: FS_2020_24
Status: Active
Approved by: Chancellor Christina Drale
Originator: Faculty Senate
Custodian: Provost