Distinguished Service Status

Distinguished Service Status is conferred upon retirement in recognition of sustained, high-quality contributions and meaningful service to the College through a period of at least twenty years. This designation honors adjunct faculty and staff who have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to student success, institutional effectiveness, and the mission of the College for Creative Studies.

Qualifications

An individual may be considered for Distinguished Service Status upon meeting the following criteria:

Adjunct Faculty:

• A minimum of twenty (20) years of service as an adjunct faculty member at the College, with teaching occurring in at least one academic term per year
• Evidence of sustained excellence in teaching and student engagement
• Demonstrated contributions to the department, program development, or broader College community
• A record of professionalism and alignment with institutional values

Adjunct faculty do not need to be actively teaching at the time of nomination but must be in good standing with the College.

Staff:

• A minimum of twenty (20) years of service as a staff member at the College
• Evidence of sustained contributions to institutional operations, student support, or strategic initiatives
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission, values, and community of the College
• A record of professionalism and institutional engagement

Staff members must be in good standing with the College at the time of nomination.

Procedures

Recommendations for Distinguished Service Status should include:

• A summary of service history at CCS (roles held, years of service)
• A statement of contributions and achievements during the faculty member’s tenure

For adjunct faculty, the Department Chair initiates and submits the recommendation via email to the Faculty Review Committee. If endorsed, the recommendation is forwarded to the appropriate Dean. Upon the Dean’s approval, the recommendation is submitted to the President. Final approval is granted by the Board of Trustees.

For staff, nominations may be submitted by a supervisor or member of the Leadership Team. All staff nominations should be submitted via email to the Chief Human Resources Officer for review and coordination of the process. The Chief Human Resources Officer will work with the appropriate leadership to advance recommendations for approval.

Recognitions

Conferral of Distinguished Service Status includes:

• A formal certificate recognizing the designation, signed by the President and Board Chair
• Recognition at an appropriate institutional event, as determined by the President (e.g., faculty gathering, or special recognition ceremony)
• Inclusion in official College communications or publications, as appropriate.

Benefits

Distinguished Service Status is an honorary designation. Benefits are intended to recognize contributions while reflecting the individual’s role at the College. Benefits may include:

• Continued access to CCS email (as appropriate)
• Photo identification card indicating Distinguished Service Status
• Continued listing on the CCS website (as appropriate)
• Access to campus, including parking at both Ford and Taubman
• Access to the CCS Imaging Center
• Library access and borrowing privileges
• Invitation to participate in Commencement ceremonies
• Invitations to select College events (e.g., exhibitions, lectures, community gatherings)
• Bookstore discount
• Tuition discount on CCS course(s) subject to course availability and space

Benefits are granted at the discretion of the College and may be modified over time.

Criteria for Tuition Discount

Distinguished Service Status recipients are eligible for limited tuition discount for non-matriculating coursework under the following conditions:

• Tuition is discounted twenty percent, subject to course availability and space
• The individual is responsible for all registration fees and course-related expenses
• Registration must occur in accordance with established College procedures
• Failure to complete registration and payment of applicable fees may result in removal from the course.