Body
Unit Policy and Procedures
Title
Eshelman School of Pharmacy: Professorships Policy and Procedures
Introduction
Purpose
The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy has multiple endowed professorship funds held either by the School or by the Foundation. Distinguished professors are awarded an honorary title with salary and research funds either until retirement or for a fixed period of time. All professorships are subject to the University's Distinguished Professorship Policy. The following outlines the School's policy and procedures for distinguished professorships.
Scope
This policy applies to:
- All distinguished professorships, distinguished term professorships, distinguished scholar appointments, and similar endowed faculty appointments administered by the School.
- All faculty members holding or being considered for such appointments.
- School administrators involved in the nomination, review, funding, stewardship, or administration of professorships.
- Endowed professorship funds held by either the School or the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation.
Policy
Distinguished Professorship Appointment
The Dean has authority to recommend and award distinguished professorship appointments consistent with donor intent, School priorities, and University requirements. All professorship appointments are subject to applicable University approval processes, including review by the Appointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee and approval by the Board of Trustees when required. The School may use distinguished professorship appointments to:
- Recognize the leadership and service to the School.
- Recruit and retain faculty who demonstrate sustained excellence in research, scholarship, teaching, and service.
- Advance strategic priorities of the School.
Faculty members may not self-nominate or apply for professorship appointments.
Professorship Eligibility
Distinguished professorships generally shall be awarded to tenured or tenure-track faculty. In special circumstances, a professorship may be awarded to a fixed-term faculty member when permitted by University policy, approved by the Provost as required, and consistent with donor intent. Endowed professorship funds may be awarded as follows, based on faculty rank:
- Distinguished Professor – professor
- Distinguished Scholar – associate professor
Professorships may have other eligibility requirements based on documented donor intent in the fund agreement. In practice, the School only awards Distinguished Scholars as term appointments.
Use of Professorship Funds
Funds associated with an endowed professorship shall be used solely for purposes consistent with:
- The terms of the endowment agreement;
- Applicable laws governing endowed funds;
- University policies; and
- The mission of the School.
Allowable expenditures may include:
- Salary support for the professorship holder;
- Research, scholarly, educational, and professional development activities;
- Travel related to the holder's academic or professional responsibilities;
- Personnel support related to the holder's teaching, research, scholarship, or administrative activities;
- Student, trainee, or postdoctoral support;
- Equipment, supplies, and materials supporting the holder's work.
Use of professorship funds for purposes unrelated to the professorship is prohibited. The Dean serves as disbursing authority for endowed professorship funds.
Review and Continuation
All distinguished professorship appointments shall undergo periodic review to ensure continued alignment with the goals of the professorship, School priorities, donor intent, and faculty performance expectations. Term appointments shall not exceed five years unless otherwise permitted by applicable University requirements and may be renewed following review by the Dean.
Stewardship
Professorship holders are expected to participate in reasonable stewardship activities supporting donor relations and advancement efforts. Failure to fulfill stewardship obligations may be considered during review of the appointment and may result in removal or non-renewal of the professorship.
Procedures
Appointment and Vacancy Review
Vacant professorships shall be reviewed annually during the School's budget alignment process. Participants may include the Dean, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Academic Officer, Associate Dean for Advancement, and other administrators as appropriate. Division Chairs may provide recommendations through the annual faculty merit review process or as vacancies arise.
The Chief Academic Officer reviews recommendations from Division Chairs then presents them to the Dean for consideration. The Dean determines whether to move forward with a nomination. Required University approvals are obtained before appointment.
The Dean may initiate appointments outside the annual review cycle when necessary to advance School strategic priorities, faculty recruitment, retention, or leadership needs.
The School and Foundation will jointly recognize newly appointed professorship holders through an installation event or other formal recognition process.
Administration of Professorship Funds
Each year, the School and Foundation finance teams establish annual budgets for professorship funds. Holders receive a faculty distribution based on each fund's market value and payout. Distribution amounts are allocated according to the following funding levels:
- Distinguished Professors: $30K, $50K, $70K, $90K
- Distinguished Scholars/Fellows: $15K, $25K
Any excess amount beyond the faculty distribution is used to offset the salary of the holder.
As part of the annual budgeting process, the School finance team will notify holders of their professorship fund balance and confirm whether funds should be carried over or reinvested. The Dean will review carry-over amounts, consulting with the holder and Division Chairs as needed, as part of the annual budget process.
Once a professorship is vacated, any unused funds may be reinvested or carried over for use by the new holder. The income may be spent on recruitment expenses to fill the vacant professorship.
Holders shall work with the School finance team to access professorship funding. Any professorship funds held at the Foundation shall be transferred to the School for disbursement.
Professorship Review
All professorships are subject to a five-year review to confirm that the goals of the professorship continue to be met. The review may entail a consultation among the holder, the Division Chair, and the Dean. Distinguished Term Professorships, Scholars, and Fellows shall be awarded for a specific period not to exceed five years. At the end of the term, the professorship shall be reviewed by the Dean, in consultation with the Division Chair, and may be reappointed for a subsequent term of up to five years.
Professorship Stewardship
The Foundation, in collaboration with the School, may request stewardship activities from professorship holders, including:
- Providing a brief report describing the impact of fund use;
- Creating a thank you video or letter;
- Joining a personal visit with the donor; and/or
- Attending a professorship stewardship event.
Requested stewardship information should be provided in a timely manner to support donor engagement and reporting obligations. Failure to participate or to provide stewardship information may result in the removal of the professorship.
Related Requirements
University Policies, Standards, and Procedures
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Title: Interim Dean
Name: Kim Brouwer
Telephone: 919-966-1122
Email: esop_dean@unc.edu
Other Contact(s)
Title: Executive Vice Dean - Chief Academic Officer
Name: Mary McClurg
Telephone: 919-819-7267
Email: mroth@unc.edu