An Emeritus Professor’s Guide: Salary, Perks, and Volunteer Opportunities

Many people often wonder about the status and benefits of being an emeritus professor. This article aims to clarify the aspects of emeritus professorship, highlighting whether these individuals still receive a regular salary, the perks they typically enjoy, and their volunteer opportunities within the academic community.

Does an Emeritus Professor Receive a Regular Salary?

The answer is typically a no. An emeritus professor usually does not receive a regular salary from the university once they have retired. Their status as emeritus is primarily an honorary title that recognizes their significant service, often for a minimum number of years, usually during their active teaching career. However, there may be rare exceptions depending on the situation and the institution's policies.

Why Are Emeritus Professors Given This Title?

An honorary title like emeritus is given to retired professors as a sign of appreciation for their contributions to the academic community. This title often comes with certain privileges such as access to university facilities like the library and labs. Some emeritus professors are invited to special events and functions, allowing them to remain connected to the university despite their retirement.

Maintaining Professional Status

Emeritus professors are not required to continue teaching, but they do have the option to do so voluntarily. In some cases, a department may ask an emeritus professor to teach a course during a shortage for a small stipend. The compensation, however, is rarely as generous as working full-time within the faculty.

A Personal Experience

For example, when I retired, I was approached to teach a course that had not been taught in 20 years. I had moved away from the university’s location, and the mere $4,000 offered was not enough to make the effort worthwhile. I was initially asked to teach it as a faculty member for better compensation, which was a class not taught at many other universities. The department eventually paid overtime to cover that semester, but they later decided to cancel the course permanently.

Other Benefits

Beyond potential teaching opportunities, emeritus professors often maintain their email accounts and may still have access to university resources. Additionally, they can continue to conduct research, publish, and even travel under the university’s name, representing the institution in various capacities.

Conclusion

Being an emeritus professor is more about recognition and the privileges that come with it, rather than a regular salary. While there might be occasional teaching opportunities available, the primary focus is on continuing to contribute to the academic community in a voluntary and less formal manner. So, while you may need to look elsewhere for financial compensation, the legacy and benefits of emeritus professorship remain a significant part of your academic journey.