By Dr. Vlad Krotov
Tenure is a system in academia where after a probationary period, typically six years, a faculty member is granted permanent employment in his or her academic unit. Dismissal of a tenured faculty member can only occur for just cause (e.g. a serious misconduct) or other exceptional circumstances (e.g. budget cuts leading to closure of his or her academic unit).
Standards for tenure are usually quite high and difficult to attain, since an institution is making a large, long-term investment into a faculty member who is offered tenure. It has been estimated that a single tenured, senior professor costs an institution millions of dollars over his or her entire career span at the university.
Academic tenure is a coveted dream for every aspiring academic. It is well known that tenure is one of the main benefits of being a professor. Many successful business professionals are drawn to academia because they are able to obtain well-paying jobs that are locked in “for life”.
Tenure has come under intense scrutiny in recent years. According to some critics of tenure, the system no longer serves its primary purpose of protecting academic freedom. In most cases, tenure protects complacent and unmotivated academics rather than those with controversial views.
Indeed, tenure can have both positive and negative effects on the quality of education within an academic institution. Here’s how tenure can potentially benefit the quality of education:
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- Academic Freedom: Tenure provides professors with job security, which allows them to express controversial or unconventional ideas without fear of retribution. This academic freedom can lead to more diverse and intellectually stimulating discussions and research.
- Long-Term Commitment: Tenured faculty members have a long-term commitment to the institution. This stability can lead to greater dedication to teaching and research, as they are invested in the success and reputation of the school.
- Research and Scholarship: Tenured professors have the freedom to dedicate significant time to research and scholarship. This can lead to advancements in knowledge and expertise, which can enhance the quality of education through up-to-date and cutting-edge teaching materials.
- Mentorship and Experience: Tenured faculty members often have more experience in academia. They can serve as mentors to junior faculty and bring valuable expertise and perspectives to the classroom.
- Institutional Reputation: Tenure can attract high-caliber faculty who seek job security and academic freedom. This, in turn, can enhance the institution’s reputation and attract top students.
- Focus on Student Learning: With job security, tenured faculty may have less concern about pleasing administrators or short-term outcomes, allowing them to prioritize student learning and development.
However, that tenure can also present challenges and potential drawbacks:
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- Lack of Accountability: Tenure can create a sense of job security that might lead to complacency or reduced effort in teaching and research. Some argue that the lack of accountability may negatively impact the quality of education.
- Resistance to Change: Tenured faculty may be less willing to adopt new teaching methodologies or adapt to changing educational needs since they are protected from dismissal based on performance.
- Difficulty Removing Ineffective Professors: In some cases, the tenure system can make it challenging to remove underperforming faculty members, which may negatively impact the overall quality of education.
- Cost: Tenured faculty members, especially those with extensive experience, tend to have higher salaries. This can put financial strain on institutions and limit their ability to hire new faculty or invest in other resources.
In conclusion, tenure can positively impact the quality of education through academic freedom, research focus, mentorship, and long-term commitment. However, it also poses potential challenges that institutions need to address through effective performance evaluation, professional development opportunities, and a balanced approach to faculty hiring.
It should be noted that a business school is not required to have a tenure system in order to become accredited. Leading accreditation agencies, such as AACSB, have accredited numerous business schools and universities that do not grant tenure to their faculty members. Accreditation agencies do require an accredited school to have a formal and effective appraisal and promotion system that aligns with their mission and goals.
Our consultants at Accreditation.Biz, a leading accreditation consultancy, have extensive experience managing the tenure process in accordance with international accreditation standards. Our Online Tenure and Promotion Processing System (TAPPS) is a simple, easy-to-use online application for collecting, processing, and managing faculty tenure and promotion data. We will help your business school build a tenure system that is transparent, fair, efficient, and supportive of the goals of your academic unit. With our process knowledge and technical solutions, you can maximize the chances that your tenure systems retain quality education and enhance student learning.