Distinguished Professorships, University Committee on; Procedures and Criteria for Appointment

University Committee on Distinguished Professorships (UCDP)

The University Committee on Distinguished Professorships is appointed by the Provost. The committee shall consist of six faculty members selected from nominations made by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee and five named or distinguished professors selected from nominations made by the Council of Named and Distinguished Professors. The senior distinguished professor on the committee serves as chair. Members shall serve staggered three-year terms, with two members from the faculty at large and one or two named or distinguished professors appointed each year. In appointing members of the Committee, attention shall be given to selecting individuals with recognized scholarly achievements who are broadly representative of the University’s academic community.

The duties of the committee shall be to assist in the recruitment of nominees for named and distinguished professorships, to make recommendations to the Provost concerning the qualifications of nominees for distinguished professorships limited to particular disciplines, and, when there is an open competition across disciplines for distinguished professorships, to recommend to the Provost a list of candidates who best meet the qualifications for appointment.

Procedures and Criteria for Appointment to Named and University Distinguished Professorships

Nominations normally will be initiated at the department level by an individual or group in the appropriate discipline or by an interdisciplinary group. The nomination and supporting materials should be forwarded through the department chairperson or dean for comments and recommendations at each level. Each department and school may, at its option, designate an advisory committee to review and comment on such nominations.

The individual or group preparing the nomination is responsible for providing complete information and supporting materials as outlined in Required Documentation for the University Committee on Distinguished Professorships. Nominees for University distinguished professorships must be current University full professors. Nominees for named distinguished professorships may be selected from current University faculty or from other institutions, agencies, and organizations. All nominees will be considered in accordance with the University policy on Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action.

Whether the nominees are from inside or outside the university, the same high standards for selection must be applied. Appointment must not be made merely as a reward for service, however long or devoted. The major criteria for selecting named and University distinguished professors are:

1. A truly distinguished record of scholarship. Although this criterion is highly dependent on the breadth of a field, distinguished professors generally should rank among the most eminent scholars in their fields in this country and usually should possess an international reputation.
2. A proven record of interest in and concern for the growth and success of their students, colleagues, and institutions.
3. A demonstrated interest in activities in related fields and in participation in University affairs generally, as well as in professional organizations.
4. A record of notable service to communities at the local, state, national, and/or international levels.

For professorships restricted to a school, department or program, nominees must meet the general standards above for all named and University distinguished professorships and, in addition, those set by the school, department, or program as appropriate to the field.