University clarifies faculty retirees’ access to electronic resources
During the past year, USC’s Retired Faculty Association has represented the interests of faculty retirees in their efforts to secure access to electronic resources that are routinely provided for current faculty, staff, and students. The Office of the Provost has recently clarified the policies and procedures which will govern retiree access to these resources.
- As to off-campus access to electronic content, the University is legally obligated to conform to the licenses from publishers and vendors which stipulate that such access is available only to current USC faculty, students and staff. The definition of “current faculty” includes emeritus/a faculty and other retired faculty members who have been “recalled to service,” (i.e.,those who are engaged in continued research without compensation).
- Retired faculty members seeking to be “recalled to service” should notify the Emeriti Center. The Center will seek needed approvals from the appropriate deans’ offices, and subsequently from the Office of the Provost. When approvals are granted, the Emeriti Center will take the necessary steps to establish access.
The RFA Ombudsman/Advocacy Committee intends to monitor these procedures to assure they are effective in supporting retiree’s continued research activities.
Meanwhile, the RFA is encouraging members who have not been granted emeritus/a status and who are engaged in research to take the steps described above. The RFA wants to be assured that procedures will not prove cumbersome and that they will be implemented in a timely fashion.