Outstanding faculty scholars at the University may be designated Presidential Research Professors. This designation will not only recognize and honor past excellence in research or creative artistry, but will provide significant tangible support for continuing and future efforts. Each such professor will receive a support budget and some release from teaching and service duties. Presidential Research Professors (PRPs) will be nominated by a Select Committee and appointed by the President.
Only persons who have records of significant and sustained research or creative artistic work, and who have achieved national or international reputation by virtue of accomplishments in their fields, may receive these awards.
Nature of the Award. The Presidential Research Professorship is a non-renewable four-year appointment. Each PRP will receive upon appointment an increment of $2,000 to base salary. A grant of $5,000 per year will be provided during each year of the appointment, provided the recipient remains a full-time NIU faculty member. This is to be used for legitimate purposes related to the professor's scholarly activities (e.g., equipment, graduate assistants, supplies, travel, secretarial help), except for personal salary. In addition, each PRP will be released from one semester of teaching and service responsibility (or the equivalent in part-time releases) during the four-year period of the award. Each PRP must consult with his or her department chair regarding the scheduling of the semester(s) in which released time is to be granted; and it is preferable that this be done before the appointment begins. These provisions are to be over and above any tangible resources or released time that the PRP may obtain through grants or other sources during the appointment period.
Presidential Ressearch Professors will be formally appointed at the Graduate School commencement, typically in the spring of the year prior to the starting date of their appointments. At this time they will each be presented with a medallion intended for wearing with academic regalia and afterward will receive a personalized plaque recognizing the award.
Obligations of Presidential Research Professors. PRPs are expected to carry out a continuous program of research or creative artistry during the period of their appointments. At the conclusion of the award period, each PRP will be asked to present a lecture to the University community on his or her current scholarly work.
Eligibility. All Tenured full-time faculty of the University with the academic rank of professor are eligible for consideration for appointment as PRPs. Appointment as a PRP is not renewable and will end if and when full-time NIU employment ceases. No member of the Select Committee may be considered by that committee to receive a PRP appointment.
Distinguished Research Professors. When a Presidential Research Professor completes the four-year award period, his/her title will become Distinguished Research Professor.
The Select Committee. Each Distinguished Research Professor (DRP), and each PRP in the fourth and last year of appointment, will be eligible to serve on the Select Committee for a given year. The Committee will be chaired by the Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Research and the Dean of the Graduate School. The President, in consultation with the committee chair, may appoint additional members of the Select Committee to provide representation from additional colleges.
Selection of Presidential Research Professors. The appointment of PRPs is made by the President. The Select Committee nominates individuals on the basis of the quality of scholarly activity; no other criteria are to be employed. Each PRP is to be a person who has received national or international acclaim for his or her scholarship, to be among the researchers or artists of highest stature in his or her speciality, to have made significant positive impact on the discipline nationally or internationally, and judged to be likely to continue to make such impact. The Committee may request any appropriate documentation from persons under consideration and may employ any evaluative processes (including internal and external peer evaluation) that are consistent with good academic practice. Typically, three PRPs per year will be appointed.
Last updated 02/19/2004