Tenure Under Threat: Conservative Officials Target University Professors

January 9, 2023

Recently, conservative officials in red states across the United States have been calling for the review of tenure for university professors, often presented as a way to rein in academics with liberal views. Tenure, or indefinite academic appointments, is a crucial component of academic freedom and has faced scrutiny from lawmakers and state oversight boards in at least half a dozen states. In this article, we'll examine the origins of this trend and how it reflects a conservative shift in the perception of higher education. We'll also look at the impact that this trend could have on academic freedom and the future of higher education.

The Origins of the Tenure Threat

The trend of attacking tenure can be traced back to November 2020, when Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick asked colleges in the state to disavow critical race theory. When the University of Texas faculty approved a resolution defending their freedom to decide how to teach about race, Patrick responded by saying it was time to consider holding faculty accountable by targeting tenure. This sentiment has been echoed by conservative officials in other red states, reflecting a conservative scrutiny of instruction related to race, gender, and sexuality that has extended from schools to higher education.

The Impact on Academic Freedom

Tenure advocates argue that it is a crucial component of academic freedom, allowing faculty to freely discuss difficult topics without fear of retribution. Without tenure, faculty may be hesitant to engage in controversial discussions, leading to a lack of diverse viewpoints and stifling the exchange of ideas. This is especially concerning in a political climate where the share of Republicans who view higher education as having a negative effect on the country has grown from 37% to 59% between 2015 and 2019, according to Pew Research Center polling.

The Future of Higher Education

As attacks on higher education continue, some faculty members are already feeling the effects. In Kansas, Emporia State University cut 33 faculty members, most of them tenured, using an emergency pandemic measure that allowed the school to bypass policies on staff terminations to balance budgets. The fired professors, all Democrats or liberals, saw it as a purge. Meanwhile, in Florida, a federal judge blocked the "Stop-WOKE" Act, a law pushed by Governor Ron DeSantis that restricts certain race-based conversations and analysis in colleges. The governor's office is appealing the injunction, and compliance with the law would be part of the criteria for evaluating tenured professors under a review process being considered by the university system's Board of Governors.

5 Key Points to Take Away:

• Conservative officials in red states are targeting tenure for university professors, often as a way to rein in academics with liberal views.

• Advocates argue that tenure is a crucial component of academic freedom and allows faculty to freely discuss difficult topics without fear of retribution.

• Attacks on higher education reflect a conservative shift in the perception of colleges and universities.

• Some argue that the trend of attacking tenure could have a chilling effect on academic freedom and the exchange of diverse viewpoints.

• Some faculty members are already feeling the effects of attacks on higher education, with many losing their jobs or facing the threat of dismissal.

Arguments made against tenure:

1. Tenure can create a sense of complacency among faculty members, who may feel that they no longer have to work as hard to keep their job.

2. Tenure can make it difficult to terminate underperforming faculty members, even if they are not meeting the standards of the institution.

3. Tenure can lead to a lack of diversity in the faculty, as it can be difficult to hire new, diverse faculty members if there are already tenured faculty members in place.

4. Tenure can be expensive for institutions, as they may have to continue paying faculty members even if they are no longer actively teaching.

5. Tenure can create a hierarchical structure within academia, with tenured faculty having more power and influence than non-tenured faculty.

6. Some argue that tenure is no longer necessary in today's academic environment, and that alternative forms of job security, such as multi-year contracts, could be more effective.