College and University Tenure Reform Gaining Momentum in Several States

At a growing number of public higher education institutions across the nation, professors are no longer guaranteed a job for life.
State legislatures or higher education boards have passed tenure reform measures in seven states so far, and proposals are moving through the system in six others, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures database. Lawmakers and policymakers believe tenure will remain a major issue as they consider higher education reforms at the national, state, and institutional levels.
Oklahoma is the latest example. On Feb. 5, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order requiring performance reviews for tenured research university professors every five years, while lifetime tenure for professors at four-year and community colleges is being phased out and replaced with “renewable contracts” tied to teaching effectiveness, student completion rates, job placement, and economic alignment….