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MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

ACADEMIC OPERATING POLICY AND PROCEDURE

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Academic Operating Policy and Procedure (AOP) is to define the policy on the selection of William L. Giles Distinguished Professors.

REVIEW

This AOP will be reviewed every four years (or whenever circumstances require an earlier review) by the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs (APAA) with recommendations for revision presented to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

POLICY/PROCEDURE

One of the highest awards the University can bestow upon a faculty member is that of Distinguished Professor. It is not a faculty rank but an honorary distinction. This recognition is based on distinguished scholarship as evidenced by a record of outstanding research, teaching, and service and is conferred only on a faculty member at Mississippi State University who has attained national or international status. In that context, a minimum of three years of service at MSU is necessary for consideration.

The criteria for selection, which are available in the Office of Academic Affairs, will be rigorously applied. They include a distinguished record as a scholar, demonstrated research achievements, and national or international prominence as verified by external reviewers from the candidate's specific field. Outstanding performance in teaching and service, and motivating colleagues and students toward their best personal goals and objectives are also to be considered in the appraisal of a nominee. Appropriate documentation must be provided to support the case for excellence in all three of the areas of research, teaching, and service. No administrator at the level of dean or above is eligible for consideration as a Distinguished Professor.

Nomination of a professor for designation as a “William L. Giles Distinguished Professor” will originate with the department or the college/school in which the nominee holds the rank of professor. If the nomination originates with the department, it must be forwarded to the dean for review. The nomination, along with appropriate documentation, will then be forwarded to the Provost for review and further consideration. A University Distinguished Professors Review Committee will play a major advisory role to the Provost in considering the recommendations for Distinguished Professors. It will consist of five members: Vice President for Research and Economic Development (Chair), two current Distinguished Professors designated by the Provost, one member designated by the President, and the Chair of the Faculty Senate or designee. The two Distinguished Professors and the member designated by the President will serve staggered three-year terms.

The committee will consider all recommendations and advise the Provost accordingly. The Provost will, in turn, make recommendations to the President. Final approval and announcement of Distinguished Professors will be made by the President. The Chair of the University Distinguished Professors Review Committee will write a letter to each nominator detailing the overall recommendation of the Review Committee for that nominee.

The total number of Distinguished Professors will constitute a relatively small percent of the faculty. No stipulation is made concerning the number of Distinguished Professors that may be named in any one year. There may be years in which no Distinguished Professors will be designated.

The appointment of Distinguished Professors will occur during the Spring Semester of each academic year. A call for nominations will be issued by the Office of Academic Affairs in October of each year. The deadline for submission of nominations to the Provost is February 15.

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12/01/06

For information about this policy, contact the responsible/reviewing department hyperlinked above.