Retirement
There is no mandatory retirement age at Berea College.
Upon the request of the faculty member, the opportunity is available to reduce gradually one’s teaching and related responsibilities as one approaches retirement. Such arrangements, which involve salary reduction, take into account individual wishes and institutional needs. Since these circumstances may vary from one person or program to another, arrangements are negotiated on an individual basis.
Tenure ends when a faculty member either (a) retires completely or (b) elects to take partial retirement with responsibilities that are one-half or less of a normal teaching load.
In order to be considered a retiree, when leaving the College the employee must be 55 years of age or older, have completed at least ten years of service to the College, and have no plans for employment elsewhere.
The honorary title of Emeritus/a signals a continuing relationship with the College for all who desire such a connection and carries with it certain privileges and responsibilities. The College bestows the status upon faculty members in good standing when they retire with at least 10 years of full-time service. The Dean of Faculty Development informs the faculty of their emeriti status and invites them to meet to discuss their transition to retirement, including possible institutional support for continuing research and professional activities.