What About Tenure? Is Tenure Needed?

Abstract

Tenure-and the rules, processes, and rituals surrounding its application-has achieved the status of an article of faith. The resultant dogma is that academic freedom and the national interest are served by job security for academics. This article considers the arguments supporting tenure and why they make little sense to critics of higher education. Suggestions are made for modifications of tenure as currently understood and practiced that will better serve its intended purposes.