The academy, in spite of constant and largely unfounded criticism of left-wing bias, is an industry that by-and-large devalues the agency of its workers. Imperatives to “publish or perish” drive down the quality of work for many professors, and tenured faculty are often allowed to give mediocre performances due to the protections that come with the status. This should not encourage an erosion of the already scarce number of secure jobs in academia but instead make us rethink how academia is set up.
It is almost embarrassingly obvious to call academia elitist. While the academy has certainly become more diverse in the last half century, entry into their upper echelons has only become more difficult. Universities have become increasingly reliant on contingent labor, with a little over 75% of college faculty jobs in the U.S. off the tenure track, according to the Department of Education. Tenure has become a much sought after rarity. These disparities are hidden by the myth of meritocracy.
While adjunct faculty and lectures may put in more work than their tenured counterparts and are often responsible for larger class sizes, they do not hold the same status or receive the same benefits. Non-tenured faculty and lecturers should not only be paid a livable wage, but be ensured the same dignity as their tenured colleagues.
Contingent labor, often accompanied by meager wages, has become a defining feature of our university systems. Rather than having a model in which academics have to claw their way up to get even the most basic sense of protection, we should ensure protections for all workers.
Tenure is a great way to ensure academic freedom, but it is rife with problems. It creates a hierarchy and an inherent imbalance of power. All professors deserve academic freedom and a sense of job security. It will improve the lives and works of all academics, encouraging them to do their best research without fear of losing their very livelihoods.
