A recent case from Maine shows why public officials must resist the urge to retaliate against employees who voice criticism. Employers must be able to prove they would have made the same adverse personnel decision, documented with detailed and credible explanations for the action, no matter what the employee said. (MLF)

This case presents an educational leader attempting to institute cultural change in a university department that has long been marked by turbulence, turmoil, and trauma. The case examines the well-intentioned efforts of the newly appointed department chair, John Nitsky, in his quest to "reculture" the department. (Contains 2 notes.)

Discusses outplacement counseling, pointing out that concerned, careful, and thoughtful dismissal of teachers can improve faculty morale, save litigation expense, and reduce stress levels for the people involved. (EL)

Surveyed part-time faculty and full-time, nontenure track faculty (N=119) at Montana State University and found a pool of experienced individuals generally dissatisfied with their work situation, particularly appropriateness of compensation and policies. Gender differences were noted in dependence upon the income from part-time teaching,…

The psychological effects of involuntary job loss on untenured professors are documented. Theoretical models, clinical observation, personal letters, and interviews point up the existence of a widespread mourning phenomenon among abruptly terminated academics, a pervasive response that has only been significantly measurable over the last decade.…

A strategy for assisting candidates for promotion is outlined. Teaching, research, and service remain the key criteria for faculty evaluation. Untenured faculty must devote time to research and teaching: developing manuscripts for publication, writing proposals for extramural funding, conceptualizing a program of research, formulating new courses,…

A 5-year (still ongoing) study of new faculty (originally 54) has found such changes as declining amount of time spent on teaching preparation; teaching increasingly perceived as more satisfying and less stressful than research; increasing time spent on research; increased stress about research productivity; and increased perception of work…

A study used available data to develop a profile of non-tenure-track college faculty (n=132) and compare it with a similarly derived profile of untenured but tenure-track faculty (n=587). The research explored the relationship between employment status and selected demographic, career orientation, career circumstance, and work environment…

Although it does not offer tenure or tenure-track appointments, the newly established Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has not had difficulty attracting qualified faculty. The creation of the institution, recruitment of faculty, characteristics of new faculty hires, characteristics of the interview pool for new positions, faculty reasons for…

A study used the "met-expectations" framework to examine effects of postgraduate work experience on tenure acquisition. Pretenure faculty with academic postdoctoral experience had better time management skills, were clearer about work priorities, experienced less work stress than inexperienced faculty. Early work stress was associated with lower…

Faculty at nonprofit colleges and universities are concerned about the quality of faculty at the for-profit University of Phoenix, and about the personnel policies that support them. This institution's faculty lacks tenure, and most teach part time. Ninety percent are fully employed elsewhere. The fast-paced courses and regimented curriculum are…

By last spring, most faculty members at public institutions of higher education were justifiably pessimistic about their likely salary increases for the 2003-04 academic year. Many states were running large budget deficits for the second or third year in a row and no longer had reserves to draw upon to balance their budgets. These shortfalls…

Discusses the case of Krizek v. Board of Education of Cicero-Stickney Township High School (ND, IL, 1989). A federal district court determined that a school district could dismiss an untenured teacher for classroom conduct not prohibited in advance (showing students an R-rated movie) but deemed inappropriate later. (SM)

Most women and minority faculty who sue on grounds of discrimination when denied tenure become alienated from their colleagues, fall behind professionally, and forfeit their jobs. Only one in five is successful in courts. Describes the outcomes of several recent cases and summarizes a 1987 book on the subject. (DM)

A non-traditional career path passes through industry or government before proceeding to an academic position. Discussed are effective uses and advantages of various non-traditional faculty members. Some industrial programs that help universities fill faculty positions are described. (YP)