This is a list of faculty at the University of Louisville who have received appointments under the University’s scholar program. The names are presented in alphabetical order indicating University Scholar (UNIV) or Distinguished University Scholar (DIST). A description of the University Scholar program follows the list.

The University of Louisville Scholar and Distinguished Scholar Program

OVERVIEW: Research and teaching at the University of Louisville are inextricably entwined. A faculty more productive in research will enhance the quality and excellence of teaching. The proposed University Scholar and Distinguished Scholar Program will play a key role in recruiting scholars to the faculty who exhibit substantial credentials in research. By recognizing faculty who significantly exceed the scholarship necessary for promotion and tenure at U of L and in doing so achieve a national (Scholar) and international (Distinguished) reputation, it will reward existing faculty members who are outstanding in research, scholarship and creative activity. It will provide strong incentives for all faculty members to increase their level of productivity and to be recognized and compensated for their efforts. It will result in a major increase in number and amount of grants and contracts awarded to the University.

ELIGIBILITY: Promising or distinguished scholars under recruitment by the University and faculty members of the University will be eligible for the program. After May 1, 2002 faculty members appointed to an endowed position are not eligible for appointment to the university scholars program. The title University Scholar or Distinguished University Scholar are awarded under the program. A candidate for University Scholar will demonstrate substantial creativity and scholarship in their field of expertise. Evidence of scholarship will include all or most of the following: an exceptional record of sustained publication of peer reviewed books, papers, creative works, articles in archival quality professional journals, a high degree of citation of these published works by peers, discipline appropriate attainment of major extramural grants and contracts, and evidence of early national recognition among their peers. A candidate at this level generally would be eligible for appointment to the University at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor or has already obtained these ranks at the University. A candidate for Distinguished University Scholar, in addition to having credentials equivalent to that of a University Scholar, will have wide recognition by peers for creative contribution to their field. This will be evidenced by wide spread citation of published works, invitations to present papers at major universities and before national and international meetings, service on extramural peer review panels, editorial boards, election to office or other service in professional societies, or having received professional honors. A Distinguished University Scholar typically would be eligible for appointment to the University at the rank of Professor.

AWARD: An appointee will receive the title University Scholar or Distinguished University Scholar and will agree to a contract specifying the term of appointment, salary supplement and assignment. This policy will define base salary and salary supplement for the University’s internal accounting purposes. Each of these salary categories refers to compensation provided for meeting obligations under the appointee’s term(s) of appointment. For purposes of reporting institution salary to federal research sponsors, an appointee’s institution base salary includes both the University payroll system base salary and the research salary supplement defined below.

1. Initial term of appointment will be three years.  The appointment will be renewable depending upon satisfactory performance of the assignment as defined below. It is the goal of this program that the title of Scholar will continue to be renewed throughout the entire academic career of the awardee. Whether or not this occurs will depend upon the ability of the awardee to meet or exceed the standards of the assignment and to demonstrate substantial evidence of continued productivity. Performance under the contract will be reviewed at regular intervals in line with the current contract.

A renewal term may be for the same period as the initial term or may be lengthened based upon probability of continued productivity at the assigned level. Likewise, the award may be converted upon renewal to Distinguished University Scholar from University Scholar. Scholar renewals may be synchronized with other personnel contract reviews, e.g. Periodic Career Review, Endowed Chair renewals, etc.

2. The salary supplement is not part of the tenured salary commitment of the Scholar but is a discretionary award of the University based on additional expected work responsibilities. A Scholar holding a twelve month university appointment will receive an annual salary supplement for the contract period. A Scholar on a nine month (academic year) appointment will receive an award that may include two ninths summer salary, a salary supplement, or two ninths summer salary plus the salary supplement. The amount of the salary supplement for a University Scholar will not exceed twenty five percent of the base salary normally paid by the University for a faculty member holding the position and academic rank of the Scholar; that for a Distinguished University Scholar will not exceed forty percent. The supplement will be incremented or adjusted at the same time and at the same rate as the base salary. Termination of the contract will include withdrawal of the salary supplement. In general, University accounting practices treat the salary supplement similar to base salary in that total employee benefits are calculated including this compensation and the supplement reflects compensation for work required as part of the Scholar designation.

3. The assignment will have a major scholarly component appropriate to the Scholar's professional discipline. Important expectations of performance will include specifics such as publication of scholarly articles, presentations, collaboration with colleagues and a commitment to enriching the student learning experience through their scholarly activities. In areas of expertise such as biological and physical sciences and engineering, the attaining of extramural grants and contracts will be an important expectation as attainment of extramural funding is a key measure of the quality of the scholarship and the professional standing of the Scholar among colleagues. It is recognized that there are professional fields in which attainment of extramural funding is not common or funding is limited in amount. In these cases, attainment or retention of grants and awards will not be an essential element of the assignment.

4. Cancellation -- The University expressly reserves the right to reduce or cancel the awards of salary supplement in the event program funding is not adequate.

FISCAL ASPECTS:All direct costs of the program including supplements to salary and fringe benefits will be paid from a single Funding Pool administered by the Office of Research Administration. The money in the Pool will be used exclusively to fund the Program. Initially the program will concentrate on recruiting new faculty who bring current grants and contracts to the University. Once the pool is sufficiently funded, the program will be extended to rewarding and retaining existing faculty, including those who, because of their discipline, may not be required to obtain extramural funding.

1. Generation of Funds for the Pool The program will be self-funding. An amount of money equivalent to eighty percent (80%) of the indirect cost recovery funds (overhead) generated from new faculty participating in the program will be placed in the Pool. This apportionment of funds will not affect the current University Research Infrastructure Fund for principal investigators and departments.

2. A budget for the program will be prepared each year as part of the development of the University's Annual Operating Budget. This budget will be based on a realistic projection of indirect cost recovery from the Scholars, the need to maintain a reserve, and any additional fund balance of the account not earmarked for expenditure. The number and amount of individual awards in effect at any time will be governed by the amount of funds generated for this purpose.

3. Funds in the Pool in excess of committed payments and a prudent reserve will be used to bring additional faculty members into the program regardless of discipline or capacity to obtain extramural funding.

PROCEDURE:

1. External nominations may be made at any time through the formal School, Unit and University channels. In order to recognize the achievements and academic accomplishments of current University faculty members, internal nominations may be solicited by the office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation as the funding in the pool allows. Unit deans may nominate faculty for appointment as University Scholars. Generally, internal candidates must have been a U of L faculty member for no less than 5 years prior to nomination. The Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation (EVPRI), in consultation with the Scholar Review and Appointment Committee, may elevate the appointment to Distinguished University Scholar if the faculty member’s credentials are appropriate for this distinction. In all cases, the Dean or Unit Head will forward nominations and recommendations to the EVPRI. A nomination will take the form of a letter specifying the contract period, amount of the salary supplement, duties and performance standards. A proposed contract should be included covering the above items and should contain a clause stating that terms of renewal are based upon meeting performance standards and the probability of continuing productivity on the part of the Scholar. Supporting documents will include a detailed curriculum vitae or resume, supporting letters and other relevant documentation including publication information and number or times works have been cited. Recommendation for renewal, termination or modification will be processed through the same channels as the original nomination.

2. Nominations and recommendations for renewal, modification and termination will be reviewed by a University Scholars Committee comprised of faculty and administrators. The members of this committee will be appointed by the EVPRI in consultation with the Deans. The EVPRI or delegate will Chair the committee. The Committee will obtain internal and external peer review as required. Recommendations of the committee including suitability of the candidate and suggested changes to the contract will be advisory to the EVPRI who will then forward his/her recommendations to the Provost. The Provost will forward approved Scholar appointments to the University President.

3. The EVPRI will maintain copies of all relevant appointment documents and will provide timely notice to the Dean or Unit Head when review of performance and notification of the Scholar is required.

Revised:  March 7, 2013