DN TENURE: What it means

By Laura Onyeneho

Te Texas Senate recently approved Senate Bill 18, which could eliminate tenure status at public Texas universities and colleges for newly hired professors, beginning Sept.1, 2023.

Tis bill makes good on a priority of Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for a little over a year. Patrick announced his intentions to end tenure in public universities and limit the teachings of critical race theory.

Te role of tenure plays an important role in the success of higher education institutions. It provides academic freedom to professors who spend most of their time researching thought-provoking topics regardless of how potentially controversial they may be.

Te research provides an opportunity for tenured employees to encourage students to think critically and ask tough questions while ensuring less turnover and a stable environment for teaching.

But what if the opportunity of being tenured is limited or abolished?

“We are the ones who pay [faculty’s] salaries. Parents are the ones who pay tuition. Of course, we’re going to have a say in what the curriculum is,” Patrick said last year when announcing his intentions to end tenure.

Proponents say this decision will improve the student experience and allow more freedom of expression. However, those opposed say it will impact the state colleges’ competitive edge and limit freedom of expression in classrooms.

Tenure plays an important role in the success of higher education institutions. It provides academic freedom to professors who spend most of their time researching thought-provoking topics regardless of how potentially controversial they may be.

Te research provides an opportunity for tenured employees to encourage students to think critically and ask tough questions while ensuring less turnover and a stable environment for teaching.

WHAT IS ACADEMIC TENURE?

Tenure is a lifetime job security at a university afer an educator has been evaluated on the research they’ve conducted and the impact they’ve made in the classroom. Achieving tenure is not easy and is a very rigorous process. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 17,726 faculty members were tenured in Texas universities, while 7,668 were on the tenure track.

When a professor gains tenure, the person can only be terminated for a justifable cause or under extreme circumstances such as severe fnancial restraint or program discontinuation. Professors receive comprehensive rights, and colleges attract the most talented and qualifed faculty to work at their institutions. Te two notable rights include:

Academic freedoms: Providing protection to cover controversial topics without fear. Tenured faculty gain complete freedom in research and publications as long as they meet core academic requirements and the controversial material covered relates to their subject of focus. Academic freedom also provides students with a holistic, multi-dimensional educational experience.

Economic Security: Job security is one of the signifcant benefts of achieving tenure. Te educator doesn’t have to worry about being asked to return the following year. Tey maintain their employment for an extended period, potentially until they retire.

With the rise in political correctness and the decline in alternative viewpoints, the First Amendment isn’t as revered as it once was. Add the challenges of declining college enrollment, school funding, and high turnover rates of professors leaving the workforce, then one can see why the topic is important to academia.

Tenured faculty develop a broader and deeper knowledge within their feld of expertise. Tey’ll use their research to provide open dialogue, expose them to various topics, and challenge their critical thinking skills. Some critics say removing tenure could impact the recruitment and retention of quality faculty, impacting a student’s decision to attend schools with a quality learning experience.

Dr. Eddy Carter, assistant professor of constitutional law and philosophy at Prairie View University, said he sees both sides of the argument.

“Tere are those contexts in which individuals have used their tenure as a means to further their employment and haven’t sincerely engaged in personal academic development, scholarship exposure to diversities of perspectives in the practical levels in the classroom,” he said. “On the other hand, tenure does have its place, and it is essential for maintaining academic freedom, thought, and integrity to enhance the quality of higher education in the state.”

Tenure is awarded based on merit. Faculty already undergo yearly performance reviews and periodic evaluations. Tis position isn’t considered blanket protection to get away with unacceptable behaviors. Tey must meet the university’s standards and be held accountable.

Houston residents hold sign during TEA community forum at Delmar Stadium.