Endowed Professorships

The McNeese State University Foundation provides several endowed professorships. These endowed professorships are available to deserving faculty on a competitive basis providing funding is approved by the MSU Foundation. Professorships are intended to provide discretionary, supplemental funds for a variety of enhancement initiatives: 1) to enhance research competitiveness, 2) to improve research ties with industry, 3) to strengthen the capacity of departments to achieve regional or national eminence in education or research.

Endowed Professorship may be designated for specific purposes. Endowed Professorships available to faculty members of designated colleges may be recommended by a professorship committee appointed by the college dean with the approval of the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The committee should be comprised of faculty of the designated college and other University faculty or appropriate personnel.

Chairpersons for Endowed Professorship committees should not hold meetings which conflict with Faculty Senate meetings (the first Wednesday of the month from 3:10 to 5:00 p.m.). In addition, prior to committee meetings held to select recipients, Endowed Professorship Committee Chairs are to send written communication notifying all persons submitting proposals of receipt of their proposal. Chairs are also responsible for sending written communication to the Academic Advisory Council indicating recipients of professorships and indicating those who are not selected with a short critique if appropriate.

Endowed Professorship Proposal

A proposal describing the applicant's planned activities must be submitted to the appropriate committee or dean by the designated date [announced each year]. Proposal must have a title and include goals and objectives appropriate for the department in which the professor resides, e.g., grant funding, publications, patents, teaching, industrial ties, and other academic and/or economic activities.Although teaching excellence will be included in an applicant's proposal, proposals involving research, creativity, scholarly activity, and/or economic contribution, and faculty development will be given higher priority consideration.

Eligibility for Endowed Professorship

Applicants must be full-time or prospective faculty members at McNeese with a rank of assistant professor or higher. Deans, vice-presidents, and the president are not eligible. Faculty members [including department heads] may apply for professorships designated for their respective colleges as well as for general university professorships.

Level of Financial Support

Annually, interest income will be reviewed by the MSU Foundation budget committee. Following the investment guidelines established by the Louisiana Board of Regents, the annual stipend will be determined and reported to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Interest income made available from the endowment may be used for salary supplements and for expenses directly related to the scholarly work of the recipient, with the proportion to be decided by the recipient. The amount for salary including benefits may be limited to a portion of the payout. The dean of the college will approve and document appropriate expenses.

Selection of Endowed Professorship Recipients

If screening and/or selection committees determine that there are no qualified applicants, endowment funds will remain in the appropriate account until a selection is made. The funds may not be used for other purposes. Endowments designated for a specific college will be for a one to three-year period as specified by the Office of Academic Affairs, MSU Foundation, and the college dean. At the end of that period, any faculty member from that college [including the initial recipient] may re-apply.

Endowed Professorships Not Designated for a Specific College

Endowments not designated for a specific college will be awarded for a one to three-year period, depending upon recommendation by the Office of Academic Affairs and MSU Foundation. At the end of the period, a faculty member [including the recipient] from any college may apply.

Termination of Endowed Professorship

The University reserves the right to terminate the award if 1) the recipient's actions are not appropriate as a representative of the University; or 2) the recipient fails to fulfill the obligations of the professorship; or 3) the recipient suffers an incapacitating illness extending beyond one year; or 4) the recipient does not continue as a full-time faculty member at McNeese. The dean of the appropriate college will report cases involving possible termination to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and a recommendation will be made to the President for final action. Any vacancy created by a termination will remain until the following year and any unused money will remain in escrow.

Endowed Professorship Reporting Requirements

The recipient must present annual written documentation and appropriate evidence of scholarly activity completed which supports the goals of the professorship. In general, final reports are reviewed by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. A review team may be appointed by Vice President of Academic Affairs to evaluate progress of the recipient’s activities based on the goals and objectives of the professorship. A performance review report will be submitted to the Vice President of Development and Public Affairs. Funds must be expended during the duration of the professorship and may not be held for future expenses not related to the goals of the professorship.

Review of Endowed Professorship Procedures

These guidelines will be reviewed annually for the purpose of making appropriate revisions.