Dive Brief:
- University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro proposed a study of the post-tenure review process as part of a new financial model, asking specifically to add the possibility of compensation adjustments during post-tenure reviews and a new policy for termination “based on unsatisfactory performance.”
- According to Inside Higher Ed, controversy over the matter was spurred on by a press release that said the review would include enacting a “de-tenure” process.
- Whereas the tenure and post-tenure review processes are currently led by faculty, the proposal seems to suggest shifting more power to the administration, which has also caused concern.
Dive Insight:
A competitive market for top performers in academia has caused a level of inflation among top-tier faculty salaries. As universities struggle with their budgets and continue to recover from the financial crisis in 2008, it is not surprising some are choosing to take a closer look at the salaries of tenured faculty. The tenure system, however, is enshrined in higher education, offering a level of academic freedom many fear would disappear should the system collapse. Tying an institution’s finances to the tenure process is criticized for muddying the waters of purely academic pursuits. But while University of Tennessee System President Joe DiPietro has emphasized his commitment to tenure, other institutions should keep an eye on this continuing process and its controversy.