Tenure Turmoil Sparks Reforms

Abstract

Pinched by shrinking budgets, institutions of higher education, state legislatures, and boards of regents are reevaluating the terms of tenure, which has come under fierce attack in recent years. While a few institutions have abolished their tenure systems, most are tightening it up to ensure greater accountability. On many campuses, tenure is become harder to get and--with new systems of posttenure review--a little easier to lose. And in some cases, it is being redefined as a guarantee of a teaching job and an office, but not necessarily a full salary.