Additional Policies

Service

Each faculty member is expected to conscientiously carry out the work of any University or Law School committee and other assignment made by the Dean for Faculty and Research. In order to help manage workloads, a faculty member should not agree to serve on a University committee or other similar assignment without the approval of the Dean for Faculty and Research.

Student Support and Participation

Faculty are expected to be available for and engage students as much as possible both inside and outside the classroom.

All faculty members are expected to organize their professional and personal schedules to permit them to participate in our annual graduation ceremony and reception and our annual school-wide orientation event for the incoming students. A faculty member who is unable to attend either the orientation or graduation event must contact the Dean directly as far in advance as possible. Attendance at these events will be excused only for significant, non-recurring family events (such as weddings, child graduations) or for being engaged in professional activity that advances the mission of the Law School or the University and that has the Dean's prior approval.

Food for Classes

As a general policy, the Law School will not pay for, reimburse anyone for, or provide support for, food provided to classes by individual professors, whether during classes or otherwise, including make-up classes or evening classes. This rule applies to all programs. Research account funds similarly may not be used for meals or refreshments for classes. 

There are two major exceptions to this general policy:  

One-time Onsite Refreshments for non-1L Classes
The Law School will reimburse faculty members for snacks and non-alcoholic beverages purchased for students in non-1L classes on one day of in-person instruction per semester. Reimbursements for these refreshments will not exceed $15 per individual (total, including tax and tip). This policy applies to all programs and is available to residential faculty only.  

Outside Meals for 1L Classes
The Law School will reimburse faculty members who teach required 1L classes for hosting small group meals of their 1L students at an offsite location. Typically, the size of the group should be between three and six students and the instructor. Reimbursements for these meals will not exceed $30 per individual (total, including tax and tip), and a list of names of students must be provided in the reimbursement.

Parking

Each year the Law School will provide each faculty member who otherwise qualifies under University rules with a parking space in one of the University lots at the prevailing University rates. In allocating spaces in specific lots, consideration will be given to the faculty members' teaching-related needs for access to his or her vehicle during the work day and to reasonable security concerns. An allocation of a space in a specific lot is for one year only and subject to reallocation in subsequent years.

Courtesy Appointments

Faculty from other schools in the University may be appointed by the Dean upon the advice of the Law School's Personnel Committee as members of the Law School faculty. Such appointments shall be for a term of three years and renewable for additional terms if the appointee has taken steps to take advantage of the appointment.

Courtesy appointees carry the title of Assistant, Associate, or Professor of Law (depending on their title in their home School and department) and enjoy non-monetary benefits, such as access to the Law School library and staff participation in workshop series. Courtesy faculty are not entitled to vote at faculty meetings.

Emeritus Faculty

This policy outlines the eligibility, benefits, and responsibilities of faculty members who retire from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and are granted emeritus status.

Eligibility

Emeritus status may be granted to retiring faculty members, including research, clinical, and teaching faculty, who have at least 10 years of continuous full-time service at Northwestern and are recommended by the Dean. Emeritus status is contingent upon approval from the Provost and Board of Trustees.

Teaching

Emeritus faculty members may continue to teach upon request from the Law School and with their consent, typically one course annually. Emeritus faculty members will receive the standard compensation in effect at the time for a faculty member teaching an overload in a degree program.

Office Space

Emeritus faculty members will have access to their current office space for up to one year following the date of retirement. Emeritus faculty members may request courtesy office space after the first year following the date of retirement, subject to availability and Law School needs. Space after the first year may be shared and may change locations as needed. Space will be assigned for a term of one semester, with the option to request renewal. Priority office access will be given to those emeritus faculty members who are teaching a course in a degree program at the request of the Law School.

Storage

Emeritus faculty members will not have access to storage space, including for document retention, after the date of retirement. The Law School’s Facilities team can provide assistance for the secure disposal of sensitive documents and/or relocation supplies for moving documents and other items.

Other Support

Emeritus faculty members may access the support of a Faculty Assistant for one year after the date of retirement, as needed to support their continued research and service to the Law School. After one year, Faculty Assistant support will be available only if an emeritus faculty member is teaching a course at the request of the Law School and only for course-related tasks. Emeritus faculty members may also continue to use their Law School-issued laptop and access IT support for one year after the date of retirement. Emeritus faculty members are not eligible to purchase new IT equipment through the Law School. All IT equipment will be collected at the conclusion of this transition period and will not be available for purchase. Emeritus faculty members’ NetIDs, NU emails, and Wildcards remain active indefinitely, allowing them to access the library and enjoy discounts to many University cultural and athletic events.

Responsibilities

Emeritus faculty members are expected to uphold the standards of academic integrity and professional conduct that apply to all faculty members. Emeritus faculty members are also expected to comply with all Law School and University policies and procedures, including those related to the use of University resources, facilities, and equipment. Emeritus faculty members are encouraged to participate in Law School activities and events, and to maintain collegial relationships with their colleagues and students.