IFAS Endowed Professorship Procedures

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 12, 2022

Reviewed 2/2/2022

SUBJECT: UF/IFAS Procedure for ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP titles

One of the greatest honors bestowed on a faculty member is to be awarded an endowed professorship.  UF/IFAS is fortunate to have several of these available, based on the generous contributions from alumni and friends.  In consultation with SVP, deans and department chairs, the SVP will evaluate whether it is in the best interest of UF/IFAS to hold an endowed professorship as a recruiting tool or to appoint an existing faculty member. 

Per University Policy: Endowed Faculty Positions, Appointments and Procedures- Version July 14, 2015¹, the following definitions will be used:

• University Chair: To establish an endowed “superchair,” a minimum gift of $4 million is required. Such chairs are to be occupied by individuals with the senior rank of associate or full professor.
• Chair: To establish an endowed chair (which may also be called an “eminent scholar chair”), a minimum gift of $2 million is required. Such chairs are to be occupied by individuals with the senior rank of associate or full professor.
• Professorship: To establish an endowed professorship, a minimum gift of $1 million is required. Such professorships are to be occupied by UF faculty members.
• Term Professorship/Faculty Fellowship: To establish an endowed term professorship/faculty fellowship, a minimum of $300,000 is required. These positions are to be occupied by UF faculty members.

A. Endowed Professorship Process for a Vacant Position

In the event there is a decision to use a new or vacant endowed professorship for a recruitment package, the deans and unit leader(s) will consult with the SVP for agreement on the position description. Established search and recruitment procedures will be followed.

B. Endowed Professorship Nomination Process for Current Faculty Members

In the event the decision is to consider appointment of an existing faculty member the following procedure will be utilized.

• The SVP, deans, department chairs and center directors will be invited to make a nomination for an endowed professor position. The terms of the gift agreement/purpose of the chair will be described to them so they know any relevant focus required of the holder of the professorship.
• All nominees will be notified, and their approval sought for future consideration.
• The SVP will select a five-member Appointment Committee, with the following constitution:
• At least two full professor members from the UF/IFAS Tenure, Permanent Status and Promotion Committee.
• At least two faculty members who currently hold an endowed professorship.
• The committee will review all nominees and rate them as “strongly supported”, “acceptable” or “not acceptable” for appointment to an endowed professorship. They may also provide comments to the SVP and deans regarding their rating.
• Based on the input from the committee, the SVP will decide who to appoint to the endowed professorship, which could include not appointing an existing faculty member but rather deferring to use for recruitment.

Letter of Appointment/Offer Criteria for Endowed Professorship Titles

On appointment/offer, the recipient will be provided with an appointment letter, stating the start-date and the 5-year term of the appointment; which is renewable upon satisfactory review every 5 years.

• The terms of the appointment should be carefully outlined in the letter and approved by the SVP and deans and the Provost before it is sent to the candidate for the position. The letter should come from the lead dean with copies to the SVP and Provost.
• The letter should include the UF/IFAS regular performance review schedule, noting that appointments of indefinite duration are subject to such reviews for the purpose of confirming that the individual is making a continuing contribution to UF/IFAS and the university.
• The letter should include requirements for annual stewardship and reporting as outlined in UF procedures.¹
• No faculty member can occupy more than one endowed faculty position without the approval of the Provost.

Review Process for Holders of Endowed Professorship Titles

Faculty members selected for endowed professorship titles must maintain excellent performance and scholarly records, as these appointments are not lifetime awards.  As such, those appointed to an endowed professorship are expected to continue to perform at the highest levels in order to be reappointed to the professorship.  The university requires that endowed professorship appointments are reviewed on a regular basis, and endowed professor holders in UF/IFAS are appointed to the professorship for a five-year, renewable term.

• The review process will begin 3-6 months prior to the end of the term.
• The SVP and deans may elect to advance the timing of the review if there are significant concerns regarding the performance of the holder of the endowed professorship. In particular, a “needs improvement” annual evaluation in any assignment category is likely to result in the implementation of an early review.
• At the time of the review process, the SVP will appoint a five-member Review Committee, with the following constitution:
• At least two full professor members from the UF/IFAS Tenure, Permanent Status and Promotion Committee.
• At least two faculty members who currently hold an endowed professorship.
• The Review Committee membership will be revealed to the endowed professor and their review will be based on the current curriculum vitae of the holder of the professorship, along with the annual evaluations from the previous 5 years.
• The Review Committee recommendations will be advisory to the lead dean and the Committee will be asked to rank the holder of the endowed professorship as follows:
• Exceptional contributions since the time of appointment to the professorship. Any intramural or extramural reviewer would be likely to place them in the top 10-20% of their field. Their appointment to the endowed professorship should be continued.
• The incumbent continues to be productive, but current contributions may not place them in the top 10-20% of their field. Continued appointment to the professorship could be considered, but UF/IFAS may also be better served by appointment of another individual to the professorship.
• The incumbent’s current contributions are not consistent with holding an endowed professorship. Reappointment to the endowed professorship is not recommended. The process for removal of the endowed professorship title will be followed according to established UF/IFAS and university policies and procedures.
• The SVP will receive recommendations from the Review Committee; will review the candidate’s CV and annual evaluation letters and then will make a final determination about reappointment to the professorship, in consultation with the appropriate Unit Leader(s).

Retirement

Upon retirement from the university, it may be appropriate to allow the employee to retain an emeritus version of the endowed title, e.g. “the John Smith Emeritus Professor of XXXX, in accordance with the UF/IFAS procedures for conferring emeritus status. UF/IFAS will proceed to search for and appoint a new holder of the chair of professorship.

References:

1. UF Endowed Faculty Positions, Appointments and Procedures: http://aa.ufl.edu/media/aaufledu/policies/Endowed-Faculty-Positions-AAO-Policy-071415.pdf

Approved 2-2-2022