Book Review: Beyond Traditional Tenure: A Guide to Sound Policies and Procedures

Abstract

This comprehensive well researched book examines traditional tenure systems, modifications of conventional tenure, and alternatives to tenure (non-tenure contract systems). In doing so, it discusses tenure quotas, faculty evaluation and reward systems, faculty recruitment, academic freedom, and related issues. Using information gathered from surveys and interviews with top administrators, and from the review of published and in-house literature (college newsletters, faculty handbooks, etc.), the authors identify the range of policies that are in use, present case studies of selected institutions for purposes of elaboration and comparison, draw conclusions about the documented and potential impact of particular policies, and make concrete recommendations about how and when particular policies are to be implemented. The book is descriptive, analytic, and prescriptive. It is an excellent resource, useful for informing broad administrative decisions (e.g. whether to modify the tenure system), or very specific ones (e.g. how and when to employ tenure ineligible faculty). Chait and Ford begin by defining traditional tenure and outlining the shape of tenured faculty today (nationwide patterns of tenure decisions, tenure levels, modal age of tenured faculty). About 85% of all colleges and institutions utilize a tenure system, and these institutions employ 95% of all full time faculty. The authors critique arguments against tenure, namely, questions concerning the usefulness of tenure in safeguarding academic freedom and the extent to which tenure protects the inept. They turn then to institutions that have developed alternatives to tenure. These generally small, innovative colleges appoint faculty to sequential multi-year contracts, with reappointments based on performance and professional growth. Term contracts to the exclusion of tenure are intended to encourage curricular flexibility and professional growth, but the limited data that are available do not permit a conclusive evaluation of their impact.