Emeritus Trustee Policy

This Emeritus Trustee Policy (“Policy”) applies to all eligible individuals who have formerly served on the Arcadia University (“University”) Board of Trustees and have served the University with distinction.

Emeritus Trustee is an honorary title conveyed by a governing board upon a former trustee of an institution to recognize exemplary service. The University’s Board of Trustees may elect individuals as Emeriti Trustees in order to honor retiring trustees who have provided distinguished and meritorious service, outstanding leadership, and exceptional contributions to the University over a period of years. Other individuals who have served the University with distinction may be granted honorary trustee status as set forth in the Bylaws of the University but only former trustees may be honored with Emeritus Trustee status in accordance with this Policy.

Individuals who have previously served the University as a trustee with distinction may be elected as Emeriti Trustees.

Emeritus Trustee is a status that is granted to individuals who have demonstrated significant dedication to the University. All former trustees are eligible for nomination provided that they meet the stated distinguished and meritorious service requirements for Emeritus Trustee status as set forth below.

The Board of Trustees may consider trustees who have served less than twelve (12) years, in its absolute discretion.

All nominations must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation and submitted to the Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees. The Governance Committee will review each candidate’s qualifications and present recommended candidates to the full Board for a vote. Any candidate receiving at least two-thirds (2/3) vote in favor by the trustees present and entitle to vote will be awarded Emeritus Trustee status.

Emeriti Trustees will be invited to participate in the life of the University, attend public sessions of Board of Trustee meetings as provided in the University’s Bylaws and Board of Trustees policies, and march at commencement.

Emeriti Trustees may, on occasion, be invited by the President of the University or the Chair of the Board of Trustees to participate in other activities, committees, meetings, or special events.

Emeriti Trustees shall not have the privilege of voting or holding office. Emeriti Trustees shall not be counted in determining the number of trustees required to constitute a quorum at the meetings of the Board of Trustees.

All Emeriti Trustees shall serve terms as determined by, and at the discretion of, the Board of Trustees. If no term is designated when Emeritus Trustee status is granted, the term shall be for one (1) term as defined in the Bylaws of the University and is renewable at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. Upon recommendation of the Governance Committee or the Executive Committee, the designation of Emeritus Trustee can be revoked by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Trustees present and entitle to vote.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any individual who currently holds the status of Life Trustee will continue that designation for their lifetime and no further lifetime trusteeships will be recommended to, or accepted by, the Board of Trustees.

This Policy is effective on the date that it is signed by the Board Chair

June 28, 2016

Reviewed and Updated by the Governance Committee on May 5, 2021; Changes approved by the Board of Trustees on May 13, 2021.