Tenure Can't Stay the Same (opinion)

"Tenure rests on a simple but vital premise: Universities best serve the public good when scholars are free to pursue truth wherever it leads, without fear of dismissal due to political, ideological or donor-driven pressures. By granting a continuing appointment that cannot be revoked without due process, tenure insulates faculty from retaliatory termination and thereby lowers the personal risk of pursuing controversial lines of inquiry."

"The core functions of the modern university—the discovery of knowledge, the teaching of students and preparation for professional and civic life—necessitate robust criteria for academic appointment, retention and promotion that prioritize work and accomplishments of 'the highest order.' A university that does not hold its faculty and staff to the highest academic and professional standards will fail as an institution."

"Faculty protections are not ends in themselves. They exist to support those high institutional purposes. The legitimacy of the tenure system has always been tethered to institutional purpose and accountability."

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt's plan to phase out tenure at public regional universities and community colleges has generated opposing reactions. Supporters of tenure emphasize its role in protecting academic freedom and enabling scholars to pursue truth without fear of political or ideological retaliation. Critics argue tenure lacks accountability in publicly funded institutions. Tenure's legitimacy historically rests on a fundamental premise: universities serve the public by protecting scholarly inquiry through continuing appointments that require due process for dismissal. However, this protection system has always been connected to institutional purpose and accountability. The University of Chicago's Shils report establishes that universities must maintain rigorous criteria for faculty appointment, retention, and promotion based on highest academic standards. Tenure and faculty protections exist to support institutional missions, not as automatic guarantees. Understanding this historical context is essential for evaluating tenure policy.

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