Tenure: An Overview
Tenure is a term used in academia to refer to the permanent employment status of a faculty member at a college or university. It is a highly sought-after position, as it provides job security and the freedom to pursue research and teaching without fear of being fired.
How to Obtain Tenure
The process of obtaining tenure is rigorous and competitive. Typically, a faculty member must first serve a probationary period of several years, during which time they are evaluated on their teaching, research, and service. If the faculty member is successful during their probationary period, they will be granted tenure.
Benefits of Tenure
Tenure provides a number of benefits to faculty members, including:
- Job security: Tenured faculty members cannot be fired without just cause.
- Academic freedom: Tenured faculty members have the freedom to pursue research and teaching without fear of censorship or reprisal.
- Increased salary and benefits: Tenured faculty members typically earn higher salaries and have better benefits than non-tenured faculty members.
Criticisms of Tenure
Tenure has also been criticized for a number of reasons, including:
- It can make it difficult to remove underperforming faculty members.
- It can lead to complacency and a lack of innovation.
- It can make it difficult for new faculty members to obtain tenure-track positions.
The Future of Tenure
The future of tenure is uncertain. Some argue that tenure is outdated and should be abolished. Others argue that tenure is essential for protecting academic freedom and ensuring the quality of higher education.
Tenure in Turkey
In Turkey, tenure is known as “kadrolu öğretim üyesi” or “kadrolu akademisyen”. It is a permanent employment status that is granted to faculty members after they have successfully completed a probationary period of three years. Tenured faculty members in Turkey enjoy the same benefits as tenured faculty members in other countries, including job security, academic freedom, and increased salary and benefits.
Conclusion
Tenure is a complex and controversial issue. There are strong arguments both for and against it. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to maintain tenure is a matter of policy that must be made by each individual institution.