Regents Professor Policy 4/4/2011

FAC - MSU Regents Professor Policy 4/4/2011 Regents Professor Policy The designation of Regents Professor is the most prestigious title that may be attained in recognition of scholarly accomplishments by faculty at Montana State University. The title is reserved for a select group of exceptional scholars who have achieved national and/or international recognition, who have achieved distinction in their respective fields, and who have made unique and sustained contributions to the quality of the University in the areas of teaching, research and creative activity, outreach/service as appropriate to their academic appointments.

Regents Professors Criteria, Qualifications, and Responsibilities Eligibility Nominees normally must be Full Professors at Montana State University, Bozeman. Nominees must have served in a tenure line position at MSU for at least 3-5 years. Qualifications Nominees must have earned national/international recognition and demonstrated, through exemplary performance, sustained distinction in their field. Nominees must have made unique and sustained contributions to the quality of the University in the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and outreach/service as appropriate to their academic appointments.

Distinguished Activities Each Regent's Scholar, individually or collectively, should contribute back to students, faculty, the administration, and the community. Activities might include the following types of contributions: Teach or participate in a special-topics seminar or an Honors seminar; serve on a panel of Regents Professors, conduct a workshop with selected students, present a lecture or organize and participate in a creativity and innovation seminar each year. Serve as a formal mentor for a teaching or research faculty colleague, sponsor a panel, serve as a member of a faculty discussion group, present a Teaching Learning Committee session. Serve as an ambassador or representative at various functions or events as requested. Offer a seminar or public lecture, lead a field excursion.

Compensation The Regent’s Scholar shall receive a stipend to supplement their yearly salary. The amount of the stipend will be the same for all Regents Scholars. The current stipend shall be $15,000/year. The stipend shall be reviewed every four years and adjusted upward, as funds permit, to account for inflation. The Regents Scholar shall receive a medallion at an investiture ceremony to represent the exceptional nature of their achievement.

Duration of Professorship The Regents Professor title shall be held for life unless the title is relinquished or rescinded. The stipend continues until retirement unless the title is relinquished. The Regents Professor title may be attached to an Emeritus position. The stipend shall not extend beyond the time of retirement. A Regents Professor may relinquish his/her title prior to retirement. This also relinquishes the stipend and the additional attendant responsibilities. The candidate may not re-claim the Regents Professor title at retirement or any time after it has been relinquished.

Regents Professors Selection Process Call for Nominations The Provost shall issue a call for nominations by February 15 each year in which one or more Regents Professor titles is available. Once approved by the Board of Regents, new Regents Professors shall begin their terms on July 1 of the calendar year in which they have been approved. The number of Regents Professors shall be limited to no more than 3% of all tenure-line professors occupying positions at Montana State University at any one time.

Nominations Deans and department heads may nominate along with all tenured professors. Consistent with MSU practices, diversity in the candidate pool is encouraged. No self-nominations are allowed. In addition to the letter of nomination, each nominator will solicit two additional letters of support. These letters may be internal or external but may not be solicited from people who have a personal relationship with the nominee. Each nominated candidate must provide a current Curriculum Vita to be included with the letters of nomination and support. The person nominating a candidate will ensure that all materials are submitted to the Office of the Provost no later than April 1. The Office of the Provost will forward materials to the Selection Committee.

Selection Committee Each of the 8 Colleges plus Extension may elect one representative to the Selection Committee. The representative must be a tenured faculty member at the rank of associate professor or higher. The committee shall include up to three additional members who are current Regent's Professors to be appointed by the Provost. The Selection Committee shall meet and review all nominees and may recommend up to two candidates. If none of the nominees meet the criteria, no names need be forwarded. The selection process shall be completed prior to the end of that academic year. The committee shall submit its recommendations to the President through the Provost. The President, in turn, will make a recommendation on behalf of Montana State University to the Board of Regents.