I was a tenured full professor at the University of Colorado Boulder for almost 24 years. At the end of 2024, I left. Officially, it was a voluntary departure. But I sure felt like I'd been pushed out.
The article from MSN discusses the complexities involved in dismissing a tenured professor, highlighting that tenure is designed to protect academic freedom and job security. It outlines several scenarios under which a tenured professor might be removed: financial exigency, where the institution faces severe financial constraints; program discontinuation, where the academic program itself is terminated; or for cause, which includes reasons like incompetence, misconduct, or moral turpitude. The process for dismissal typically involves a series of formal steps including peer reviews, faculty hearings, and appeals, ensuring due process. The article also notes that while tenure provides significant job security, it does not guarantee employment indefinitely, and institutions have mechanisms in place to address situations where a professor's performance or behavior necessitates their removal.
Science & Technology
Sun, March 2, 2025
