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[Note: This material is copyright by the Press-Citizen, and is reproduced here as a matter of "fair use" for non-commercial, educational purposes only. Any other use may require the prior approval of the Iowa City Press-Citizen.]

UI officials did not know what category University Hospitals director emeritus John Colloton fell into until Tuesday when the Press-Citizen received an emeritus faculty list with Colloton's name at No. 646. Emeritus is an honorary designation for longtime faculty or staff who have retired in good standing. They still may contribute in various ways, but there are no expectations of productivity to maintain the title.

Colloton didn't have a faculty appointment, officials said, and no one can point out where in UI Operations Manual Part III, Chapter 11.7 "Emeritus Status for Retirees," Colloton fits. There are a lot of questions about how Colloton became an emeritus and why he still has so many perks such as an office, a secretary and a free top-level parking permit reserved for about 30 key officials, and yet is considered a private citizen.

"I am not sure I have an appreciation for why he needs an office space on campus," Davenport Regent Amir Arbisser said. "He is subject to scrutiny like anyone else."

Questions about Colloton's standing recently surfaced after UI, on the advice of the Iowa Attorney General, refused open records requests directed at Colloton and his secretary. The denial stated that Colloton is a private citizen with no official duties and therefore not subject to public scrutiny.

This despite Colloton's use of public space, equipment and perks and presenting himself as part of UI by sending letters on UI letterhead and using a university e-mail account and campus mail.

Many credit Colloton's 1971 to 1993 tenure as director and CEO for University Hospitals' success and notoriety. Colloton's contributions earned him a permanent office in the John Colloton Pavilion on campus, which he has maintained since he was director.

Former UI president Mary Sue Coleman conferred Colloton's emeritus status in 2002.

"It is really an honorific reward for the time devoted to the university," Associate Provost for Faculty Susan Johnson said of the emeritus status. "These are people who have dedicated a large amount of time to university and have a continued interest."

Some emeriti fade away, while others stay active. Some will volunteer, others will offer consultation when asked, others will continue research or teach a class, but there are not formal requirements.

Campus space for emeriti typically is doled out on a department-by-department, space available basis, Johnson said. Very few of these offices exist at UI, and the space sometimes is shared by more than one emeriti for the purpose of continuing scholarly research.

"Typically, when faculty are given office space it is without expectations of production, but typically office space is given because they are doing something to further their scholarly career," Johnson said.

Johnson said the necessity of the emeritus campus space is reviewed by the department head on an annual basis.

"It is never given permanently," Johnson said. "It is evaluated annually."

Johnson said she didn't know Colloton was an emeritus faculty or who reviewed his use of public space.

Colloton's use of his "module," which is how he describes the space in a statement sent to the Office of the General Counsel on Jan. 4 via campus mail, has never been reviewed, UI officials said.

Current University Hospital director and CEO Donna Katen-Bahensky said through a spokesperson that she had never been asked to review or approve the space.

"However, she believes that providing that space is appropriate for a person with Mr. Colloton's distinguished service to the university and to UI Hospitals and Clinics," UI spokesman Steve Parrott said.

While Colloton maintains his office on campus, he also serves on the Wellmark Board of Directors where he has been since 1974 and served as the board chairman from 1993 to 2000 and as the lead director since 2000. He earns more than $144,000 year in that role. Wellmark is the primary health care provider for UI.