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Special Ranks: Emeritus Status, Distinguished Professor, and University Professor

Emeritus Status

(see University of Arkansas Board Policy 475.1) Faculty, at any rank on any academic pathway, retiring after distinguished service to the College may be awarded emeritus status.  This status is not routinely awarded but represents an honor for a career characterized by the highest academic abilities and devotion to the advancement of the College.  Emeritus faculty members are expected to assist and support the College and University in their areas of competence, particularly in an advisory capacity, when requested to do so. 

In order to be considered for emeritus status, an individual must be appropriately recommended by his/her Department Chair and the Dean and meet at least one of the following conditions:

  1. The retiring individual is age 65 or older and has at least five years of continuous service to the University.
  2. The retiring individual is age 62 or older and has at least ten years of continuous service to the University.
  3. The retiring individual has at least 20 years of continuous service to the University.
  4. The retiring individual has elected to retire early under the early retirement provisions of Administrative Memorandum 430.2. 

In order for emeritus status to be conferred by the Board of Trustees, the individual must be recommended to the President by his/her Department Chair, the College Promotion and Tenure Committee, the Dean, and the Chancellor.  Emeritus status will normally be conferred once each year by the Board of Trustees effective on July 1 for those individuals who have retired prior to that date.  The President will receive recommendations no later than February 15, or on such other date as may be specified, from the Chancellor.  Necessary documents that must accompany the request for the award of emeritus status can be found in UA Academic Policy Series 475.10.  

Distinguished Professor

(See University of Arkansas Board Policy 470.1) The rank of Distinguished Professor is a high honor bestowed by the University to Professors of the College of Medicine.  This honor is reserved for those individuals who are recognized nationally and/or internationally as intellectual leaders in medicine who have made extraordinary accomplishments and contributions in teaching and/or clinical care and/or research.  Such individuals may have gained recognition for this distinction at this or another university and must have made substantial contributions to the College of Medicine over a significant period of time. Appointments to this rank shall be made only when clear indication exists that an individual so appointed will provide exemplary academic and intellectual leadership and continue their professional activities in such a way as to maintain national and/or international recognition at a commensurate level of accomplishment.

The rank of Distinguished Professor may be requested of the University Board of Trustees by the President with the prior approval of the request by the College Promotion and Tenure Committee, the College of Medicine Dean, and the UAMS Chancellor.

University Professor

(See University of Arkansas Board Policy 470.1) The rank of University Professor is conferred only upon active faculty in recognition of an extended period of exemplary service in a spirit of collegiality at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences campus and a combination of service in their profession and to the public through their professional activities. Appointments to this rank shall be made only when the faculty member has demonstrated an extended period of documented exemplary service to the campus and has gained wide recognition at the national or international level for sustained excellence in service, teaching, research or creative activity germane to the faculty member’s respective discipline and academic role while serving as a member of the faculty of the campus. The rank of University Professor is limited to active tenured faculty who hold the rank of Professor, or incoming faculty who will be awarded tenure and who hold credentials of similar merit from another university or other venues.

The Rank of University Professor may be requested to the University Board of Trustees by the President with prior approval of the request by the College Promotion and Tenure Committee, the College of Medicine Dean, and the UAMS Chancellor.