Faculty & Staff Resources
Resources for SOP Faculty and Staff

Emerit Status and Emeritus Appointments

Updated September 8, 2026

This document outlines the privileges, benefits, and resources available to emerit employees within the School of Pharmacy. It affirms the school’s commitment to honoring the lasting contributions of its retired employees and supporting their continued engagement with the academic community.

Further information is available at:

Eligibility

Emerit Status

  • Emerit status is limited to faculty (any rank), academic staff, limited appointees and university staff retiring after ten or more years of distinguished service at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • Be (or have been) a permanent employee of the University of Wisconsin–Madison who is eligible to activate an annuity from the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)
  • Retired in good standing, as determined by the Dean and in accordance with University policy.
  • The campus emeritus status policy and process can be found in UW–Madison Emerit Status process (UW-5090)

Emerit Appointment

In addition to emerit status, retired faculty, academic staff, limited appointments and university staff can also request an emerit appointment. Eligibility requirements include all the criteria needed for emerit status and the following criteria:

  • Will receive an active appointment through the school, either to provide administrative or instructional support that is funded by school funding or engage in research that is funded by research or discretionary funds that are associated with a PI or the retired faculty member.
  • Is in accordance with the UW-Madison Rehired Annuitant policy (UW-5009).

Process for Obtaining Emeritus/Emerita Status

Recommendations for emerit status for retiring faculty, limited appointees, academic staff, or university staff usually begin at the division level through the executive committee (faculty only, not required for staff) and proceed through the dean’s office, OHR and finally the Chancellor’s Office.  The division chair or university/academic staff’s supervisor should work with the employee to gather the required materials listed below and then send them to the Executive Assistant to the Dean of School of Pharmacy:

  • A narrative summary citing the professional accomplishments and record of university service of the retiring faculty or university/academic staff;
  • Expected date of retirement (copy of retirement letter);
  • Current CV for tenured/CHS faculty requests

If the employee holds a tenured or affiliate appointment in another department, please confer with that department directly to coordinate the  recommendation.  Recommendations may be submitted throughout the year.

Dean’s Office Procedures

  • Upon receipt of all required documentation from the division chair, the Executive Assistant to the Dean of School of Pharmacy will add the emerit status request to the Executive Committee agenda for review and vote.  Review by the Executive Committee is not necessary for staff requests.  The remaining steps are the same for faculty and staff requests.
  • The packet of materials, which includes a cover letter from the dean, the narrative, retirement letter and CV will be emailed to the appropriate contact in OHR.
  • If approved, the Chancellor’s Office will send the retiree an acknowledgement letter with copies to the division chair/supervisor, SoP HR, and the Dean’s Office.  Please note that the approval process may take 2-3 months.
  • A copy of the award letter will be placed in the SoP Administrative Shared Drive (O:) by the Executive Assistant to the Dean.  SoP HR ensures the letter is placed in their personnel file.

Once an employee receives emerit status, they are then eligible to request an emerit appointment.

  • Employees interested in an emerit appointment should work with their previous supervisor and the SOP HR team for guidance on their specific situation.

Privileges Specific to Emerit Status and Employees with Emerit Appointments

  • Receive a Certificate of Recognition signed by the President of the Board of Regents, the Chancellor, and either the Secretary of the Faculty, the Secretary of the Academic Staff, or the Secretary of the University Staff.
  • Automatically be added in Workday as having emerit status; UW–Madison identification cards must be retained to use the university libraries, recreational and other facilities.
  • Retain listing in UW–Madison electronic directory.
  • continue to have access to specific DoIT services and products. For more information, please see: https://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=80907
  • Receive a value pass through one of the Transportation Services offices once each fiscal year, which allows free parking 24 times per year in garages with the new access and revenue control gate system.
  • Receive a reduced cost city bus pass.  Note: this privilege is reviewed annually by UW Transportation Services and is subject to change without notice.  Contact Transportation Services to obtain the bus pass.
  • Invitations to attend school events, seminars and alumni and development activities.
  • Opportunity to represent the school in professional or community settings as appropriate.
  • The use of discretionary funds previously acquired by faculty to support professional activities for a period of five years after the date of retirement. Discretionary funds may reside at UW-Madison or the WFAA. Of note, these funds are not eligible for computer purchases unless an emerit appointment is active, (see next section). Faculty interested in utilizing their discretionary funding for a period of up to five years must submit a letter to the Dean, detailing the use of those funds.
  • May serve as a member of a probationary faculty member’s School of Pharmacy Governance & Oversight committee if deemed appropriate by division chair and dean.

For a brochure explaining the privileges of retirement and Emerit status, please see http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/apo/policies/Retirement%20Brochure.pdf

Privileges Specific to Employees with Emerit Appointments

Working with resource providers to determine availability, (e.g. Finance, IIT, Facilities), all employees with emerit appointments are eligible for:

  • Access to shared office or meeting space
  • Use of university computer systems and technical support. The use of these resources must be in alignment with the Board of Regents Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources E.g., It is the policy of the UW System Board of Regents that states that access to and use of UW System IT resources is a privilege that extends to authorized users for use in fulfilling the missions of the UW System and UW institutions, and for appropriate university-related activities not private or personal use.
  • Greater flexibility of discretionary fund use to allow for the purchase of computers and related hardware and software programs though School of Pharmacy local IT support
  • UW Library access
  • Opportunities for continued research collaboration
  • Eligibility to serve as co-investigators or advisors on funded projects

Limitations and Review

  • Benefits and support are contingent upon available resources and subject to periodic review.
  • Emeritus status does not confer employment status or contractual obligations.
  • The Dean reserves the right to amend this document as needed.
  • Start-Up Funds are revoked at retirement and cannot be used.

External references:

  1. Resignations and Retirement (UW-5080)
  2. Emerit Status (UW-5090)
  3. Rehired Annuitants (UW-5009)
  4. Disposal of Surplus University Property (UW-3057)
  5. Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources (R 25-3)

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