This procedure is made under the Recruitment and Appointment Policy.

This procedure applies to all staff at the University, honorary appointees and University visitors.

1.1.    The categories of honorary fellow and honorary clinical fellow to which an individual may be appointed, and the equivalent academic level, are set out in Table 1.

1.2.    A person may only be appointed an honorary clinical fellow in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, based on current or anticipated links between the person, a department or school of the faculty and a hospital.

Table 1 Categories of honorary fellow and honorary clinical fellow

1.3.    A person who is to be appointed as a University visitor may be appointed as an:

• academic visitor
• non-academic visitor.

1.4.    A person may be appointed as an academic visitor if they have a substantive academic appointment at another institution and will make a direct contribution to the academic programs of the University.

1.5.    A person may be appointed as a non-academic visitor who will contribute to the teaching and learning program of the University, or to other programs which aid the general betterment of the University.

2.1.    The criteria for appointment of an individual who is either a full professor of a Group of Eight, Universitas 21 or an Asia Pacific Rim university or recognised as a level E equivalent by the NHMRC or ARC, follows University norms for salaried academic staff at the equivalent rank. See Table 1.

2.2.    The appointment and approval process is:

• the head of department forwards a written recommendation (including reasons for the recommendation) to the dean
• the dean approves
• the dean advises local Human Resources of the approval
• local Human Resources prepares the necessary documentation.

2.3.    The criteria for appointment of an individual who is not either a full professor of a Group of Eight or Universitas 21 university or recognised as a senior principal research fellow or senior research fellow by the NHMRC or ARC, follows University norms for salaried academic staff at the equivalent rank. See Table 1.

2.4.    The appointment and approval process is:

• the head of department forwards a written recommendation (including reasons for the recommendation) to the dean
• the dean forwards a recommendation to the Senior Appointments and Promotions Committee (including three independent referee reports)
• Senior Appointments and Promotions Committee approves
• HR Specialist Services advises local Human Resources of the approval
• local Human Resources prepares the documentation.

2.5.    The re-appointment of an honorary professorial fellow is approved by the relevant dean who must report the re-appointment to the Senior Appointments and Promotions Committee.

3.1.    The criteria for appointment, the appointment, approval and reappointment process is as per section 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5.

4.1.    The criteria for appointment in the three honorary fellow categories follows University norms for salaried academic staff at the equivalent rank. See Table 1.

4.2.    The appointment and approval process is:

• the head of department approves
• the head of department advises local Human Resources by submitting an Honorary Appointments form and a brief version of the nominee's curriculum vitae
• local Human Resources prepares the documentation.

5.1.    Subject to a committee of Council established for that purpose, the Vice-Chancellor may appoint as a visiting professor a senior visitor.

5.2.    The committee shall comprise the Chancellor (as Chair), the Provost, the President of the Academic Board (or nominee) and a Deputy Vice-Chancellor

5.3.    The committee established by Council shall decide on the term and conditions of any such appointment.

5.4.    In exceptional circumstances where the Vice-Chancellor believes it to be imperative that such an appointment be made immediately, the Vice-Chancellor may make such an offer without reference to the committee.  The term of appointment and the applicable conditions are to be decided by the Vice-Chancellor in such circumstances.

6.1.    The criteria for appointment are listed in Schedule A to this procedure.

6.2.    The appointment and approval process is:

• applications are made to the appropriate school panel on an Honorary Clinical Appointment form
• the chair of the school panel approves
• the dean (or nominee) endorses the application
• the dean (or nominee) advises local Human Resources by submitting the Honorary Clinical Appointment form and the nominee's curriculum vitae
• local Human Resources prepares the necessary documentation.

6.3.    The head of department approves a re-appointment.

7.1.    The appointment of an academic visitor is at the same level as their substantive appointment at the home institution.

7.2.    Where the stay at the University is longer than two weeks and/or a visa is required the appointment and approval process is:

• the level 2 delegate approves
• the head of department advises local Human Resources by submitting an Honorary Appointment form and a brief version of the nominee's curriculum vitae
• local Human Resources prepares the necessary documentation.

7.3.    Where the stay at the University is less than two weeks and no visa is required the appointment and approval process is:

• the level 2 delegate approves
• the relevant department issues a letter of invitation
• the relevant department receives and stores confirmation of acceptance of the invitation from the person.

7.4.    Where an employment or independent contractor or honorary relationship will arise between the individual and the University, this must be established by a means other than a University visitor appointment.

7.5.    The level 2 delegate approves a re-appointment.

8.1.    The Senior Appointments and Promotions Committee (SAPC) may award the title of professor emeritus to recognise "distinguished service" to the University of retired professors.

8.2.    A person who has not held a salaried appointment as a professor of the University is not eligible for appointment as Professor Emeritus.

8.3.    The SAPC may appoint a person as Professor Emeritus either on retirement from the University or if they leave to take up paid employment with another institution.

8.4.    In addition to an appointment as Professor Emeritus and at the discretion of the dean, a person may simultaneously hold an honorary Professorial Fellow appointment for a fixed term period while there is an active and ongoing contribution to the Faculty.

8.5.    The SAPC may award the title of Melbourne Laureate Professor Emeritus if appointment prior to retirement is as University of Melbourne Laureate Professor.

8.6.    The SAPC may award the title of “named chair” Professor Emeritus if appointment prior to retirement is to a named chair.

8.6.    The title of Professor Emeritus is conferred in perpetuity, however, Council on advice from SAPC, may determine when the title of Professor Emeritus and the privileges associated with its use are to be withdrawn.

8.7.    A professor awarded the title Professor Emeritus will be provided with formal recognition of the award and will be presented with an official scroll to recognise the significant achievement and sustained distinguished service at an appropriate official University ceremony – eg Graduation, Council or Academic Board, formal retirement function.

8.8.    In considering a professor for appointment as Professor Emeritus, SAPC will take into account:

• the professor's distinction of service to the University by reference to intellectual and scholarly contributions and leadership
• the length of such service, in all ranks, to the University
• any other factor relevant to the professor's service to the University which  may be appropriate to the consideration of  distinguished  service.

8.9.    The appointment and approval process is:

• the dean forwards a recommendation to the SAPC which should include advice from relevant discipline experts
• SAPC considers and where appropriate approves the appointment
• in exceptional circumstances, the appointment may be recommended directly by the Vice-Chancellor, Provost, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, or President of Academic Board.  In these cases, there would normally be prior consultation with the dean.

8.10.  A Professor Emeritus is entitled to:

• attend ceremonial occasions such as graduation
• access to a university email account
• access library facilities
• apply for membership of other facilities available to staff (eg University House, MU sport, car parking)

8.11.   A Professor Emeritus is not entitled, by virtue of this award to:

• membership of the academic board or faculty committees
• remuneration
• accommodation, faculty resources or telecommunications (other than email)

8.12.   A Professor Emeritus may make arrangements with the head of department, school or faculty for access to facilities in which case these will be the subject of separate arrangements (eg Honorary professorial fellow) or a specified duration.

8.13.   After approval by SAPC, HR Specialist Services will advise the dean and local HR and prepare a formal letter from the Vice-Chancellor.  A copy of the signed letter will be forwarded to the dean and local HR who will update Themis.

9.1.    A member of staff who over a number of years makes a substantial contribution to the teaching, research or professional programs of a department other than their own may be awarded an adjunct appointment in that department.

9.2.    The names of all adjunct staff may be added to the University Calendar within the appropriate department as adjunct professor, adjunct senior lecturer etc. according to the rank of their substantive appointment.

9.3.    The Dean may approve an adjunct appointment below professorial level.

9.4.    The Provost on advice of Senior Appointments and Promotions Committee (on recommendation from the relevant faculty committee) may approve an adjunct appointment at the professorial level.

9.5.    Local Human Resources prepares the documentation.

10.1.  An honorary appointment will be made by a letter of invitation issued by local Human Resources which stipulates the terms and conditions of the appointment.

10.2.  An appointee must accept these terms and conditions in writing.

10.3.  A University visitor who is to stay at the University for more than two weeks will be issued a letter of invitation by local Human Resources.

10.4.  A University visitor must formally accept that invitation before commencing their service to the University.

11.1.  Honorary and clinical appointments will continue to have effect:

• in the case of honorary professorial fellows, for a period of up to five years
• in any other case, while the appointee continues to have an ongoing association with the University, as determined by the University Council or the head of department or dean on behalf of the University Council.

11.2.  Honorary appointments may be terminated at any time by the head of department or head of budget division (dependant on level of appointment) and the appointee will be advised in writing that he or she no longer has honorary status.

11.3.  Honorary clinical appointments will cease if the clinician no longer holds their clinical position or is not appropriately registered. 

11.4.  An honorary or clinical appointment may be withdrawn by the head of department or head of budget division where the title is misused.

11.5.  A University visitor will be appointed for up to one year.

11.6.  A University visitor may have his or her appointments renewed for up to one year by the delegated authority. There is no limit on the number of times an appointment may be renewed.

11.7.  The appointment will cease when the University visitor ceases making a significant contribution to the University or at the end of the agreed term of appointment, whichever is sooner.

11.8.  The Provost may withdraw a University visitor appointment before the end of term on the recommendation of a dean.

12.1.  A head of department who wishes to have an honorary fellow appointed as a supervisor of University staff may provide a case to the dean, accompanied by an Advice of Changes to Supervisor form.

12.2.  Where the dean approves the appointment, local Human Resources will provide formal notification to the honorary fellow of their supervisor status and they will be required to sign acceptance of the conditions required of all supervisors.

13.1.  Honorary fellows, clinical fellows and University visitors:

• are not members of the Academic Board or any faculty
• may obtain a visitors card and have access to the University's information facilities, including its electronic communication network
• may be provided with office accommodation at the discretion of the head of department
• will report to the head of department (or alternative supervisor as approved by the dean or head of budget division)
• will acknowledge the University in publications and grant applications arising from research involving University collaborations
• will comply with University statutes, regulations and policies as they relate to their activities.

13.2.  Honorary fellows, clinical fellows and University visitors may not:

• commit or authorise expenditure of University funds (variations to this item require authorisation of the level 2 delegate)
• carry out performance appraisals for University staff without a co-supervisor who is a University employee (unless specific arrangements are in place for honorary fellows)
• be directed to undertake an activity on a regular or recurring basis.

14.1.  An honorary fellow, including an honorary clinical fellow, may use their honorary title during the term of their appointment when carrying out any activity which forms part of their contribution to the University. Honorary clinical appointments will use the term clinical as part of the title description.

14.2.  An honorary fellow, when carrying out activities which are outside his or her contribution to the University, in circumstances where it can be reasonably construed that there is an association between the University and the honorary fellow, may use his or her honorary title during the term of the appointment where:

• there is no conflict of interest between the person’s work and his or her contribution to the University as an honorary fellow
• appropriate insurance and indemnification arrangements are in place.

14.3.  The responsibility lies with the honorary fellow to ensure that these requirements are satisfied. Honorary fellows should seek advice from the head of department, school or dean if further clarification or advice is sought in relation to this item.

14.4.  On ceremonial occasions an honorary fellow may use the title of the equivalent academic rank:

• professorial fellow - professor
• principal fellow - associate professor
• senior fellow - senior lecturer
• fellow – lecturer.

14.5.  A University visitor is not awarded an academic title by the University during the period of their contribution.

14.6.  An academic visitor may use the academic title they use at their home institution during their appointment as an academic visitor at the University.

15.1.  An honorary fellow, clinical fellow or University visitor may be eligible for reimbursement of reasonable payments to cover expenses associated with the provision of his or her contribution to the University, such as travel, accommodation, meals and incidentals.

15.2.  Reimbursement of expenses will be administered through Accounts Payable in accordance with the Payments and Reimbursements Procedure.

15.3.  Payments to international fellows and visitors will be in accordance with any visa conditions.

16.1.  The University will ensure that its insurance provisions provide honorary fellows and academic visitors with the same level of cover as academic staff receive when honorary fellows or academic visitors are undertaking activities directly related to their appointment for the University.

16.2.  As coverage for workers compensation may not be extended under the applicable legislation, honorary fellows and academic visitors are encouraged to arrange separate insurance coverage for sickness and personal accident.

16.3.  The insurance provisions provided by the University to non-academic visitors will be determined by the Manager, Insurance Office on a case by case basis.

16.4.  The University will ensure a safe work environment free of unlawful discrimination while the honorary fellow or University visitor is undertaking activities on behalf of the University.

• Schedule A – Criteria for Appointment of Clinical Honorary Fellows
• Schedule B – Distinguishing Between Honorary Appointments and Academic Visitors

• Accident Compensation Act 1985 (Vic)
• Advice of Changes to Supervisor form
• Delegations Policy, including Schedule D - Human Resources Delegations
• Honorary Appointment form
• Honorary Clinical Appointment form
• Human Resources website
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)
• Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 (Vic)
• Recruitment and Appointment Policy
• Recruitment, Selection and Appointment Procedure
• Regulation 17.1.R8 - Code of Conduct for Research
• Senior Appointments and Promotions Committee
• Statute 14.1 Intellectual Property

The Executive Director, Human Resources is responsible for the development, compliance monitoring and review of this procedure and any associated guidelines.

The Director, HR Specialist Services, Human Resources is responsible for the promulgation and implementation of this procedure in accordance with the scope outlined above. Enquiries about interpretation of this procedure should be directed to the Implementation Officer.

This procedure is to be reviewed by 28 February 2015.