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Georgia’s University System Takes On Tenure

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Re: Georgia’s University System Takes On Tenure

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Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is something to be said for migrating to where one's efforts and beliefs are compatible with the prevailing governance.

How long before you start to wonder whether it really is still your own belief?

Vanlife

Re: Georgia’s University System Takes On Tenure

#72
post #38

I see a number of comments below hailing this as a good thing, one that will benefit students. These folks look at Universities as just another company and think this is normal. It is not. It is a terrible mistake and the GA system (and its students, and society) will be worse off for it. The notion of tenure wasn't developed to protect dead wood. It came about because historically it was often difficult to distingui…

I am inclined to agree with you but I am also somewhat conflicted due to recent events at my alma mater. It was just revealed that a tenured CS professor is the author of a hate filled blog that disparages women, lgbtq+, and minorities [1]. Ostensibly this guy is "protected" due to his tenure status. I am not sure this is really good for anyone. [1] http://www.montanakaimin.com/news/computer-science-professor...

One thing you have to remember is that tenure protects teachers against the religious activists. The religious activists are ALWAYS more motivated and numerous than any defense that teachers can mount.

This is continuous and everlasting. Things like "critical race theory" and its ilk are the current bugaboos. But the "Theory of Evolution" was there in the past. Talking about the documented historical evils that various religions promulgated always sets off the nitwits. Even teaching Canterbury Tales in English and pointing out that the priest has symptoms of syphilis will tend to rile up the local frocks.

The problem is that in 1965 talking about the equality of women and minorities was "controversial" enough that it needed to be protected by tenure. And the college campuses were definitely at the epicenter of the equality movements.

Right now, I suspect that talking about abortion needs to be protected by tenure.

I'm not sure what the right answer is, but destroying tenure is, I suspect, going to do far more damage than good--especially for progressive causes.

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