Arguments For TENURE
Proponents of the tenure program argue that tenure is necessary for academics to be able to focus on their research and allow them to ignore the stresses of keeping a job. The idea that tenure allows researchers to devote more time to catalyzing mankind’s advancement towards a brighter future is definitely a noble goal, but the question remains of the teaching duties of such researchers. It should be noted that they also possess the responsibility to teach the rising generation of scientists to become more efficient researchers and to sharpen their minds towards modern theory and academic practices. Indeed, many professors at liberal arts colleges receive tenure in order to teach students for a longer period of time. As opposed to many research institutions, liberal arts universities often place a heavier emphasis on the teaching role of tenured professors, leading the charge against the stereotype of tenured professors being bad teachers (Ceci).
Inside The Institution
Inside the institution, the benefits of tenure become even more apparent and spill into the social aspects of the university system. Tenured professors become the superstars of their departments, receiving special treatment from their colleagues and even administration. Tenured professors receive preference when committee seats are being filled and have a great deal of financial influence within the university (Boe).
Outside The Institution
Outside of the institution itself, tenure also provides many benefits for a professor. As a part of many tenure contracts, educators gain assistants and graduate students to provide cheap research and teaching assistance. In comparison, nontenured educators must file for many grants before this kind of assistance is even considered, as the majority of researchers must otherwise pay out-of-pocket for assistants and even research equipment. In addition, most publishing groups are more willing to publish the works of tenured professors more than nontenured professors, giving tenure even more advantages (Stalcup).