In the 1990s at Appalachian State University, as at many other colleges and universities, the balance shifted in the writing program. Before then, English composition courses had been taught by tenure-track faculty members, but now most composition courses are taught by non-tenure-track faculty members. In this article, the authors describe how…

The Renewable Contract Plan at Hampshire College makes certain assumptions: First, that traditional life tenure systems do not necessarily encourage continuing professional evaluation, nor do they necessarily encourage pedagogical experimentation, development, and renewal. The positive assumptions of the Renewable Contract Plan include: (1)…

In this speech, the author identifies and discusses some misconceptions about tenure, discusses some problems encountered in dismissing tenured teachers, and offers solutions for improving this dismissal process. To improve the dismissal process, the author urges that (1) boards of education consult an attorney when contemplating a tenure…

Argues that tenure is necessary to protect the professional rights and freedom of classroom teachers and that the current criticism of tenure should be directed against the lack of meaningful teacher evaluation and staff development programs. (JG)

Discusses Virginia's decision to drop tenure for its community college system. (PG)

Four arguments against tenure: it works against the interests of nontenured faculty; it retards the academic quality of an institution; it inhibits rather than preserves academic freedom; it generates conflict by dividing the faculty. (HS)

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of providing tenure in local school districts. Cites the case of the Patchogue-Medford School Board on Long Island, New York, which started denying tenure to qualified teachers because of one tenured teacher who is making a mockery of his position. (JOW)

Presents a model for allocating tenure positions in a time of steady-state enrollments. (Editor)

Feeling the effects of its deliberate decision to limit the growth of its student body, Colgate University began to face the problem of a steady state in 1971 that many institutions are now having thrust on them for other reasons. This problem was brought to a head at Colgate in 1972, four years after the Board of Trustees adopted a "general…

Probability-based targets, instead of tenure quotas, work with a longer view of the future and permit flexibility in decisionmaking by asserting that performance standards remain the key criterion for promotion. (Author/PG)

Discusses tenure legislation and the need to protect teachers from unconscionable treatment'', i.e., unfair dismissal. (SP)