For purposes of the property interest in law, emeritus status at a state university is not considered employment. Absent pay or benefits, the status does not create a property interest at law. Property interest in the status is analogous to a liberty interest in reputation, which procedurally would require a request for a name-clearing hearing to exhaust non-judicial remedies.
Since 2011. An occasional commonplacing of the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal.
Neither an authoritative statement of the law nor legal advice. Quick work.