Something is wrong with tenure, and one needs to make it right. Abolishing it is not feasible, but it doesn't mean that one shouldn't at least consider changing some of the ways that tenure works. In this article, the author proposes that a better way to change tenure is to offer an implied contract of about 30 years. A 30-year contract would…

California's budget crisis jeopardizes the progress made in strengthening the teaching workforce. The threat of impending teacher layoffs will weaken the teacher preparation pipeline and affect the state's ability to attract and retain thousands of teachers it can't afford to lose. If California is to remain committed to strengthening student…

This book offers a range of proven support strategies designed to help new faculty members thrive. Suggestions range from campuswide programs for nurturing newcomers to projects that help them to help themselves. Outlined is a structured mentoring program to build collegiality through social support networks. Also presented are specific techniques…

The challenge to teacher education created by today's changing demographics involves excellence and equity. The present hostile climate at colleges and universities for faculty of color requires a creative readjustment of the tenure and promotion process. A discussion for preparing, mentoring, and retraining future teacher educators of color using…

Affirmative action issues in selecting and retaining minority faculty and college staff are discussed. Historical and political developments affecting job openings for minorities are briefly reviewed, along with demographic trends concerning the number of minorities of college-going age and their rate of college attendance. Myths about affirmative…

Views on outcomes of affirmative action policy for U.S. higher education, areas of conflict, and changes that might promote affirmative action are discussed. It is suggested that affirmative action in college hiring and admissions has resulted in a small proportion of the opportunities made available to black Americans over the past two decades.…

The life cycle of a faculty member from pre-employment through retirement is examined in these proceedings. Paper titles and authors are as follows: "The Role of Faculty in Obtaining Quality in Higher Education: Facing the New Realities" (Frank Newman); "The American Professoriate: Rewards and Satisfactions" (Eugene Rice);…

This paper, one in a series about the priorities of the professoriate, explores several alternatives to tenure for faculty and institutions. Data for the study was drawn from a series of site visits to seven institutions during winter/spring 1995-96. Seventy-one interviews were conducted with administrators, senior faculty, and full-time…