• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Scope
• Section 3 - Principles
• Visiting and Honorary Academics
• Emeritus Professors
• Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows
• Section 4 - General Conditions and Privileges
• Visiting and Honorary Appointees
• Emeritus Professors
• Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows
• Section 5 -  Eligibility and Criteria
• Visiting and Honorary Appointees
• Emeritus Professors
• Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows
• Section 6 - Selection and Appointment
• Section 7 - Expectations and Responsibilities
• Section 8 -  Withdrawal of Titles
• Section 9 - Schedule 1 Categories of Visiting and Honorary Academics Appointment
• Table 1 - Categories of Visiting and Honorary Academics Appointment
• Section 10 - Schedule 2 Criteria for Assessing the Level of Visiting and Honorary Academic Appointments
• Table 1 – Criteria for Visiting and Honorary Appointments
• Section 11 - Schedule 3 Criteria for Assessing Emeritus Professor Appointments
• Section 12 - Schedule 4 Criteria for Assessing Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This Policy governs the appointment of Visiting and Honorary Academics, Emeritus Professorships, and Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows, including:

1. principles and criteria for appointment;
2. general conditions and privileges; and
3. expectations and responsibilities.

Section 2 - Scope

(2) This Policy applies to any individual appointed as:

1. a Visiting Academic or an Honorary Academic as defined in Schedule 1;
2. an Emeritus Professor; and
3. a Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow.

(3) This Policy does not apply to:

1. the appointment to academic positions as set out in the Academic Promotion Procedure;
2. University Fellows or Honorary Doctorates appointed by the University Council;
3. staff employed by other entities controlled by the University; and
4. staff at campuses of the University outside Australia.

Section 3 - Principles

Visiting and Honorary Academics

(4) The University appoints Visiting and Honorary academics to:

1. promote collaboration in research, scholarship and teaching and learning with individuals and other institutions; and
2. facilitate the exchange and sharing of knowledge, experience, and expertise.

Emeritus Professors

(5) The title of Emeritus Professor is conferred on professorial staff who have retired or resigned, in recognition of a significant period of outstanding and distinguished leadership, service and eminent contribution.

(6) The title should not be regarded as a normal expectation for professorial staff who leave or retire from the University.

Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows

(7) The Vice-Chancellor's Fellowship provides an engagement status for eminent public figures who, through their thought leadership and public engagement, actively support the University’s vision and strategic objectives.

Section 4 - General Conditions and Privileges

Visiting and Honorary Appointees

(8) Visiting and Honorary appointees are not employees of the University and, as such, are unpaid. A Visiting or Honorary appointee may make contributions to the areas of teaching, research and governance and service, but would not undertake work that would normally form part of a paid academic position, for example, subject coordination, teaching regular lectures or tutorials.

(9) Visiting and Honorary appointees will not normally also be employed or receive payment from the University. However, Visiting and Honorary appointees may be employed by the University where they are undertaking specific work for the University, and in exceptional circumstances, such as where:

1. the payment is for activities that go beyond the normal expectations of an honorary title holder and which are of a temporary nature; and/or
2. the honorary title holder is undertaking research and holds external funding which allows for the full or partial payment of a salary and the research work undertaken, or deliverables, go beyond the normal expectations of an honorary title holder.

(10) Appointments are at the discretion of the University and may be terminated at any time by written notice by the University or by the appointee.

(11) Appointees must observe any special conditions specified at the time of their appointment and as outlined in the Letter of Invitation provided to them prior to commencement of their appointment.

(12) Appointees must adhere to the rules, codes of conduct and policies of the University as set out in their Letter of Invitation.

(13) Appointments will be made for a term of up to three (3) years, with renewal subject to review and mutual agreement between the appointee and the University. The process for the review is set out in the Academic Honorary Titles Procedure.

(14) Appointees are entitled to use their full academic title, inclusive of the term “Visiting” or “Honorary” as specified in their Letter of Invitation for the term of their appointment.

1. appointees will be provided with use of library, email and other IT related services.
2. appointees may be provided with access to a workstation, by the host faculty/research institute pending availability and consultation with the relevant Unit Manager, Director or Head of School. A workstation would normally be in a shared space. Access to research facilities such as laboratories must be negotiated on a case-by-case basis with the host academic unit.

(15) Visiting or Honorary Academics may be given some assistance towards travel to the region, accommodation and living expenses depending on:

1. the availability of funds in the relevant faculty/research institute; and
2. whether they are receiving funding of this type from their employing institution or organisation.

(16) Any such assistance is discretionary and must be approved by the Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation). The financial assistance must not exceed reasonable limits, as it may be construed as payment for services. 

(17) Visiting and Honorary appointees may be given some assistance towards travel and related costs to attend conferences or approved University activities, such as research, depending on the availability of funds. Any such assistance is discretionary and must be approved by the Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation).

(18) Visiting and Honorary appointees can collaborate on internal or external research grants where an academic staff member at the University is leading the grant.

(19) Where external grants are led by another institution, the Visiting or Honorary appointee will still be required to collaborate with a current academic staff member of the University.

(20) Where major funding bodies allow an eligible Visiting or Honorary appointee to lead a research project, approval is required from the Head of School and the Deputy Dean (Research) prior to submission and in line with grant submission practices.

(21) In exceptional circumstances, Honorary Academics may be allowed to hold a research/consulting account with the approval of the Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation). The expenditure and management of these funds must be in line with the relevant financial policies and procedures of the University and approved in accordance with the Delegations of Authority Policy.

(22) Visiting and Honorary appointees will be accountable to the Executive Dean of the Faculty (or Executive Director/Director of a Research Institute) to which they are appointed, through the respective Head of School or Director of a Research Institute.

(23) Any failure in respect of following the direction of the Executive Dean, Executive Director, Head of School or Director may result in the immediate termination of the appointment.

(24) Visiting or Honorary appointees may be required to sign an agreement in relation to the ownership and assignment of intellectual property developed while a Visiting or Honorary Academic at the University. Details in relation to this requirement can be found under the IP Intellectual Property Policy.

(25) Visiting or Honorary appointees are not permitted to supervise University staff members.

Emeritus Professors

(26) The conferral of the academic title of Emeritus Professor will ordinarily be for life (subject to the University’s right to withdraw the academic title) and may only be granted or withdrawn by the Academic Honorary Appointments Committee.

(27) Emeritus Professors must continue to uphold the University's values and comply with all relevant University policies and codes of conduct throughout the period of their appointment.

(28) The title of Emeritus Professor is not an appointment to a position and in no way establishes any employment relationship between the University and the title holder.

(29) The University reserves the right in its absolute discretion to withdraw the academic title of Emeritus Professor and any associated conditions and privileges at any time if the Academic Honorary Appointments Committee considers that continuation is not in the best interests of the University. There is no appeal process to a decision of the Academic Honorary Appointments Committee.

(30) Emeritus Professors will be:

1. accorded “Alumni” status which includes Membership of the University’s Alumni network;
2. accorded special guest status at official functions of the University; and
3. permitted to use the title outside the University.

(31) The Executive Dean may approve, subject to availability:

1. use of library, email and other IT related services;
2. access to shared workspace;
3. access to research facilities; and
4. administrative or funding support for approved activities.
    

Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows

(32) Up to five (5) Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows will be in residence at any given time.

(33) Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows will be appointed for a period of three (3) years with the possibility of extension for another term at the discretion of the Academic Honorary Appointments Committee.

(34) Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows are not considered to be staff or students of the University.

(35) The University may provide the following support to Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows:

1. access to secretarial support and temporary office accommodation when pursuing fellowship activities;
2. use of library, email and other IT related services;
3. reasonable access to computer facilities, etc.; and
4. reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses such as travel expenses associated with the pursuit of fellowship activities that ordinarily would not exceed $10, 000 in value over the life of the Fellowship.

(36) Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows may use the title “Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow” during the time of their appointment. The position in and of itself does not bestow upon the Fellow any further academic title which they do not already possess.

(37) A Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow does not have the authority to represent themselves as an agent, staff member of partner of the University and does not have the power or authority to directly or indirectly bind the University to any agreement.

(38) The Academic Honorary Appointments Committee reserves the right to withdraw the appointment by written notification with immediate effect when it is in the best interest of the University to do so.

(39) A Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow may terminate their appointment by giving the University two (2) weeks written notice.

Section 5 -  Eligibility and Criteria

Visiting and Honorary Appointees

(40) A candidate for a Visiting Research Associate appointment is required to demonstrate achievement in research and innovation.

(41) The criteria for assessing the level of visiting and honorary academic appointments is set out in Schedule 2 of this policy. The title and its level will reflect an individuals academic or equivalent professional standing.

(42) Where awarded to a former or retiring staff member of the University, the level of the Honorary appointment will be the same as the individual academic level with the University.

Emeritus Professors

(43) In accordance with Schedule 4 of this Policy, the title of Emeritus Professor may be awarded where the nominee has:

1. retired, or have been confirmed by the People and Culture Division as retiring, from the University or, in exceptional circumstances, resigned from the University (for example, to pursue a career in industry/government or to pursue an academic management position, such as Vice-Chancellor and President or Deputy Vice-Chancellor, at another university); and
2. held a position as Professor at the University for a minimum of five (5) years; and
3. made an outstanding contribution to their field or discipline throughout their entire career, with special attention placed on performance and contributions while working at the University of Wollongong; and
4. and consistently demonstrated aligned values of those of the University.

(44) Current members of University Council are not eligible for an award while in office.

Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows

(45) In accordance with Schedule 5 of this Policy a person may be appointed as a Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows from the following categories:

1. eminent members of industry, government, other Universities or international collaborators who work in partnership with the University; or
2. members of national and international business, professional, vocational, industrial and cultural communities; or
3. staff from other organisations recognised for their contribution to the University.

Section 6 - Selection and Appointment

(46) The Academic Honorary Awards Committee is responsible for approving all Honorary and Visiting Professors, Emeritus Professors, and Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows.

(47) On recommendation from the Executive Deans or Executive Directors/Directors, the Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) are responsible for approving requests for appointment of all:

1. Visiting Research Associates;
2. Visiting or Honorary Fellows;
3. Visiting or Honorary Lecturers;
4. Visiting or Honorary Senior Fellows; 
5. Visiting or Honorary Senior Lecturers; 
6. Visiting or Honorary Principal Fellows; and
7. Visiting or Honorary Associate Professors.

(48) All nominations and approvals for Honorary and Visiting Academics, Emeritus Professors, and Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows are to be conducted in accordance with the Delegations of Authority Policy, this policy, the Academic Honorary Titles Procedure, and for Honorary Clinical Academics, the Appointment of Honorary Clinical Academics Procedure.

(49) For appointments of overseas academics, due consideration should be given to the risk of foreign interference and influence, in accordance with the Enterprise Risk Management Policy.

(50) The process to appoint the academic honorary titles governed by this policy is detailed in the Academic Honorary Titles Procedure, with the exception of Honorary Clinical Academic titles. The process for Honorary Clinical Academic appointments is detailed in the Appointment of Honorary Clinical Academics Procedure.

Section 7 - Expectations and Responsibilities

(51) Visiting and Honorary Academics, Emeritus Professors and Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows must uphold the University's values and comply with all relevant University policies and procedures, including the University Code of Conduct throughout the period of their appointment.

(52) Honorary title holders may be asked to perform duties by mutual agreement, including, but not limited to:

1. research collaboration and participation opportunities through joint research projects and grant applications;
2. HDR supervision, in accordance with the HDR Supervision and Resources Procedures;
3. contribution to curriculum and/or teaching (including guest lecturers and curriculum review and input);
4. representation of the University in professional forums, conferences and public seminars;
5. contribution of activities associated with developing the University’s external relationships with government, industry and community;
6. contribution to the University’s public profile through public dissemination of knowledge and intellectual engagement; and
7. staff and/or student mentoring, development or engagement.

(53) Where relevant, Visiting and Honorary Academics, Emeritus Professors and Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows are encouraged to list the University of Wollongong as an affiliation for publications that arise from work undertaken at the University or in collaboration with UOW staff or students ensuring:

1. compliance with University authorship policies;
2. use of their approved honorary title; and
3. the publication does imply an employment relationship or institutional endorsement.

(54) Emeritus Professors must:

1. use the full title 'Emeritus Professor' when representing their association with the University;
2. not represent themselves as current employees of the University;
3. not undertake activities that could damage the University's reputation; and
4. notify the University of any change in circumstances that may affect their eligibility to hold the title.

(55) It is expected that Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows will:

1. engage with the University community and external stakeholders;
2. provide mentoring for staff;
3. engage in collaborative projects;
4. provide specialist lectures and seminars;
5. undertake activities in support of teaching, learning, research and engagement; and
6. provide strategic advice and input to UOW senior management.

Section 8 -  Withdrawal of Titles

(56) In accordance with the Delegations of Authority Policy, the Academic Honorary Appointments Committee, or Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) may withdraw the titles of Visiting of Honorary Academic, Emeritus Professor or Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow in circumstances including, but not limited to, instances where the title holder:

1. breaches the University Code of Conduct or policies;
2. acts in a way that damages the University's reputation;
3. is convicted of a serious criminal offence;
4. engages in academic or research misconduct; or
5. engages in any other conduct deemed inappropriate for a holder of the title.

(57) Recommendations initiated by the University to withdraw a title under this Policy are to be discussed with the People and Culture Division Senior People Partner or People Advisors, and Government and Community Relations Division in the first instance and must be approved by the Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) or Academic Honorary Appointments Committee, as appropriate.

Section 9 - Schedule 1 Categories of Visiting and Honorary Academics Appointment

Table 1 - Categories of Visiting and Honorary Academics Appointment

Section 10 - Schedule 2 Criteria for Assessing the Level of Visiting and Honorary Academic Appointments

Table 1 – Criteria for Visiting and Honorary Appointments

Section 11 - Schedule 3 Criteria for Assessing Emeritus Professor Appointments

Section 12 - Schedule 4 Criteria for Assessing Vice-Chancellor’s Fellows