Denial of Tenure

Note: any resemblance to persons living or dead may be a coincidence

I’ve read several anguished essays recently written by professors (at other universities) who were denied tenure for one reason or another; most claim to have worked out their last year largely clueless about why they got the boot. Those who are in for the biggest letdown are the ones who began their post-secondary education at their chosen university, completed graduate studies there, taught as graduate assistants, completed their Ph.D work, secured tenure track positions and believed themselves to be bulletproof, only to be turned down for tenure a few years later. They finish with a terminal year during which they wrap up whatever program they may have been involved with and spend countless hours filling out applications for positions at other universities where, if accepted for employment, they may suffer the same fate.

In the sciences, this could have a serious, damaging effect upon students. There may be a hole in the curriculum that won’t be filled for a year or more. Worse, it may never be filled.

The essays talk about how being denied tenure affected them in a positive way. The stories all had a happy ending. One Ph.D had some sort of a science degree and landed a job in a related industry earning a lot more than he  could as a university professor. There were similar stories that did little more than paint a rosy, encouraging picture for those who have been denied membership in La Country Club Academe.  Their jobs weren’t guaranteed, but their pay level allowed them to save for the dark days (if they ever came).

It’s probably a good thing that many live to tell their stories after they have been banished from the tribe. There is life after the academy, but I pity those who weren’t science or technology majors. Those who major in the humanities find slim pickings outside of teaching high school or (worse) middle school.

None of my former students went on to study for a Ph.D from this diploma mill, so I don’t know how any of them felt about not being accepted for tenure. I do, however, see fresh fish lured into the department every few years to teach for three-to-five years then being cut loose. I don’t have much pity for those. If they have gotten to the point in their pursuit of a career in the country club, they know what lies ahead. 

I don’t do any official advising, but occasionally, I hear from graduate students who attended our little hell hole and were turned down for a TA teaching position. When I tell them to take a look around at those with whom they might have been working 

Some of the essays pondered why the would-be tenured faculty member was turned down for tenure. They were graduates of high-powered universities, brilliant scholars and authors, and popular professors. (We don’t have any of that sort around this diploma mill).

If someone in my department is canned, it’s usually because it was discovered that he was married to another professor in the department (who went by her maiden name), got caught boinking the wrong professor, or held unpopular world views. That last one will get them put on a spit list every time.  It’s rare that a professor is terminated because of incompetence. Incompetence seems to be a virtue around here.

It is good to be introspective, to ask why one did not achieve one’s goal, but it’s just as important to question one’s choice of career. Why would one want to secure a job-for-life in an institution that is fraught with deceit, pettiness, ridiculous political posturing, and shameless back stabbing?  

A job for life indeed. Tenure review is a common occurrence in academia, and more often than not, it has a negative outcome for the professor. Years ago, I would tell students for whom a job for life was a motivating factor aspiring to join the club to get a job with the post office.

That’s no longer sound advice. The United States Postal Service is slowly being replaced by fax machines and email.

Perhaps the best advice that I can give to those who enjoy swimming with sharks and blood suckers is for them to go to law school.  As long as one adheres to a thin code of ethics, he has a job for life.

And a license to print money.