Tenuring: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The term 'tenure' comes from the Latin 'tenere', meaning 'to hold'.
• First used in English around the late 14th century, it originally referred to the holding of land or property.
• In academic contexts, it began to refer specifically to job security for faculty in the early 20th century.

Education

• In many colleges, the tenure process can take several years, including probation where faculty are evaluated.
• Gaining tenure often provides professors with academic freedom to teach and research controversial topics.
• About 20% of all faculty positions in higher education are tenured, as it has become less common in recent years.

Cultural Impact

• Tenured professors often hold significant influence in shaping academic policies and curriculum.
• Critics of tenure argue it can lead to complacency and a lack of accountability in teaching.
• Supporters believe tenure is essential for protecting academic freedom and innovation.

Legal Aspects

• In the U.S., there are specific legal protections for tenured faculty that make it difficult to terminate their employment.
• The tenure process typically involves peer reviews and assessments by institutional committees to ensure quality.

Global Perspectives

• In countries like Germany and France, the tenure system varies and is often influenced by government policies on education.
• Some nations have alternatives to tenure that focus more on contracts and performance evaluations rather than perpetual security.