Dive Brief:
- Following a legislative vote to undo tenure processes at public colleges and universities, University of Wisconsin system faculty members say that a proposal for extensive post-tenure review jeopardizes what remains of the promotion system.
- Inside Higher Ed reports on an upcoming meeting of University of Wisconsin System regents, who will decide if the tenure process will add an additional administrator to the reviewing process, an effort faculty members say further marginalizes chances for advancement among the ranks.
- Negative administrative review, they say, could trigger corrective action or dismissal for some professors, even those who meet or exceed the performance standards of academic peers.
Dive Insight:
It is clear that post-tenure review in Wisconsin is an offshoot of the state's continuing battle with how to deal with financing education in the state. But beyond its borders, the actions of the Wisconsin regents could serve as a blueprint to other states like Louisiana, Florida and Georgia in the effort to cut costs in an industry that powers cities and civic engagement, but doesn't generate revenues to match the expenditures.
Depending on the outcome of Wisconsin's action, other states could adopt similar approaches to managing costs through tenure — and that will require campuses to increase efforts to show the value of research, publishing and branding the university and how tenure is a key component of attracting and retaining that talent.