Revise the tenure system

State Hornet Staff

Every student has more than likely taken at least one class that left them unsatisfied, a class that could have been better, whether it was the archaic curriculum, a lazy teacher or perhaps an outdated class format.

Tenure.

The system that awards and honors tenure to faculty is outdated. Tenure is partially responsible for the shortage of required classes, and the large number of classes that get cancelled or carry a class roster at far less than capacity.

Teachers come under review periodically, but if tenured professors get bad reviews, nothing happens. They are practically untouchable.

Some of the problems with the current tenure system are:

Some tenured professors teach outdated classes and other classes that are not in demand. A California State University that requires a foreign language class to graduate is turning 700 students away from Spanish classes every semester, while continuing to keep Latin and Portuguese sections that house very few students. Why? The professors who teach those languages are tenured and continue to teach to near-empty classrooms.

There are administrative and faculty review committees where people come up for review, but the reviews do not allow for faculty or administration to be subject to improving their courses, or in the worst case, easily terminated. These reviews do nothing. Plus, faculty being considered for tenure are evaluated by other faculty who may have a vested interest in perpetuating the system and keeping tenure easily attainable.

There is no incentive to continually update the curriculum to meet the needs of the students. The world changes every day, but the teaching methods are rooted in the stubborn habits of individuals. Tenure has a tendency to encourage faculty to coast into retirement, for there is no reason to work harder and continue the learning process. Teachers feel untouchable.

The system of tenure itself seemingly has no limits. It is acquired too easily and too quickly, and is too difficult to uproot an inept faculty member or administrator.

What needs to occur is not a complete abandonment of the tenure system. Tenure, in theory, allows more latitude for faculty to operate without the fear of administrative control. When professors can teach their classes using the curriculum they choose, they can more freely expand the educational process. No personality conflict firings, or pressure from above.

The problem lies in the fact that faculty and administrative reviews carry no clout. Make the review process a significant process that furthers the education of everyone.

Force professors to be responsive. Force administration to meet the needs of the very people who pay their hefty salaries. Whether the answer lies in an outside reviewing party, or from a board made up of faculty, administration and students, the interests of students need to be served. The students need a voice to their fate. With loads of emphasis placed on campus recruitment for the future, allow the students that choose Sacramento State every opportunity for the best facilities, the best faculty and staff, the best administration and the best opportunities.