Whitworth University Emeriti Faculty Association Operating Guidelines 

(drafted August 2022; revised October 2022, May/Oct. 2023; approved by members Oct. 19, 2023)

Whitworth University Emeriti Faculty Association: An organization of retired faculty and administrators whom the university has honored for meritorious service as defined by the faculty handbook.

Mission: To support and further, among Whitworth Emeriti Faculty, Whitworth's mission to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity.
 
Vision: Whitworth University faculty have lived out our careers in a Christian academic community, with clearly defined roles and purpose. We believe in and have helped shape Whitworth's mind and heart mission, and we have experience, skills, and history that uniquely enable us to give back; expertise and commitment don't end when we retire. However, as with our graduating students, we leave the university and transition to other environments. This advocacy group exists to aid and enhance that transition; to retain appropriate connections with Whitworth University and with each other to the mutual benefit of the university and faculty. In that sense, the group can be viewed as part of the faculty development continuum.
 
To facilitate this goal, we focus on the following areas:

• Fostering a closer, more visible relationship between emeriti faculty and the university
• Building on the community we shared as former colleagues to interact with each other now in a different phase of our lives
• Serving as a resource for faculty in our transitions by exploring what vocation and calling can mean in retirement years
• Enhancing communication about the roles, privileges, and responsibilities of retired faculty supporting ongoing accomplishments of retired faculty, including service and scholarly work
• Exploring ways to intersect with and serve former departments and Whitworth as a whole
• Creating a web presence to enhance Whitworth's reputation and to facilitate communication among retirees

Administrative Support for the Association: The Whitworth Emeriti Faculty Association is housed within academic affairs. The work of the association and the administrative support for the association are carried out in conjunction with the provost and staff of the academic affairs Office. The association's webpage is accessed through the academic affairs site. 
 
Emeriti Faculty Benefits and Privileges: The Faculty Handbook describes the qualifications and approvals needed for attaining emeriti faculty status (1.3.5) and affirms emeriti faculty "are afforded voice and vote in the Faculty Assembly" (1.1.4). In addition, the president's cabinet approves additional benefits which are administered through the academic affairs office. These benefits may change but generally include (1) membership in the Whitworth University Emeriti Faculty Association, (2) a Whitworth University email account, (3) access to the Microsoft Office Suite, (4) a new ID card which can be used for accessing library privileges and URec, (5) a parking pass, (6) faculty rates for admission to athletic and other campus events, (7) purchasing business cards through the academic affairs office as approved by the provost, (8) auditing undergraduate and graduate courses as space is available (faculty and spouse). Changes to these benefits are ordinarily negotiated between the academic affairs office and the emeriti association steering committee.
 
Leadership of the Association: Leadership is provided by a steering committee made up of an elected president and 3-5 emeriti faculty volunteers. The president is elected from the overall membership for a term of two academic years, July 1-June 30, and can be re-elected. When a steering committee member leaves the leadership group, other members will ask the overall membership for a volunteer replacement and/or will recruit from the membership. Steering committee members may also serve as committee chairs for any of the activities below. 
 
The steering committee coordinates with and meets with the provost as needed. 
 
Meetings, Events and Activities of the group include but are not limited to the following.

Provost sponsored events include a fall dessert reception and a spring luncheon.

Association meetings are held at least twice a year around topics of general interest, in-person and/or via Zoom.

Ongoing communication occurs with and support for the membership, the administration, and other stakeholders.

Social events are held that may include a summer picnic, coffee or happy hour discussions or other gatherings.

Care and concerns committee coordinates volunteer visits or other communication with members who may be unable to attend in-person gatherings or who have other needs.

Newsletter articles and updates from all Emeriti Faculty who choose to contribute are distributed electronically through the "Emeriti Express" one to three times per year.

Resources, both personal and professional, are collected and made available to emeriti and to current faculty considering retirement.

The steering committee, along with other interested emeriti faculty, will coordinate these and other functions of the association.

Amendments to the Guiding Principles: These guidelines may be amended by the steering committee and/or the provost, then submitted to the membership for ratification.