Faculty are strange & weirdly protective of the tenured. While reluctant to extend lifetime contracts, once extended, faculty go to great lengths to protect one another.
In fact, the way faculty treat tenure is eerily similar to being a "made man" in the mafia.
First, there is a code of silence. We don't say bad things about each other to students or administration - even when we know bad things happen.
Second, there is a sense of honor. We have rules for social interaction, that if violated, can bring down the wrath of your peers.
Third, there is an impossible task. We require aspirants for tenure to overcome tremendous obstacles to join the "family."
Finally, there is the cover-up. We keep our secrets inside the group, sparingly sharing information outside the department or uni of misconduct.
While I love being tenured bc of the opportunities for research it affords , acting as if we are members of mafia families is unhealthy.
Because there is a code of silence, faculty often look the other way at all but the most egregious misconduct.
Because there is a sense of honor, faculty often don't fact check results or report misconduct. If we do, we risk informal sanctions from our colleagues.
Because we had to accomplish impossible tasks, young faculty buy into the idea that "tenure should be hard", leading to escalating tenure requirements.
Because we keep secrets & cover up mistakes, we don't engage in double-loop learning at the community level (let alone the dept level).
If we don't address these issues, we run a real risk of the tenure system fading away & many future faculty will be contract workers.
I, for one, would hate to see that happen, because I would love my teen to have the opportunity to become a professor. I would also like to see young scholars to have the freedom to chase tough ideas - something at risk if tenure disappears.
So what needs to change?
First, faculty mindset. Tenure isn't the right to misbehave. ] It's the right to teach & do research on job-relevant topics.
Second, faculty ethics. We need to embed reporting misconduct into the very DNA of faculty life.
Third faculty values. We need to be more process, than outcome oriented, about granting tenure. Tenure should be granted based on the rigor & quality of your work - not "n" or where it is published.
Fourth, transparency. We need to be more open about what we do, the time it takes, & how we impact lives. This makes point two easier to address - bc people will have a better feel for outcomes.
Fifth, outcomes. We need clear & tangible punishment for misconduct - ranging from failing to do research, to being a bad teacher, to more nefarious acts.
Even the mafia allegedly address lower performers. Why shouldn't faculty?
Tenure was created so faculty could study & talk about tough topics. We need to revisit what #tenure means & police ourselves. If not, this "thing" we have, will surely disappear.
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