I have read with great interest, and sometimes with a sense of disquiet, the recent PBC discussion about tenure, adjuncts, etc. As a conservative (and tenured) faculty member at a small liberal-arts college, my perspective is considerably removed from the Joe Massads of the world, and I suspect speak for many professors at other than “name” universities in having a contrary opinion on the protection afforded by tenure.

Despite its abuse in the world of left-wing crankery, it is first of all vital that we protect the principle of academic freedom, which cannot be done if every faculty member’s appointment is employment-at-will, at the pleasure of presidents or trustees. The frequent analogy is to the life terms of federal judges, whose putative insulation from politics shields them from the transitory passions that would threaten their independence. And, from a conservative perspective, it is essential to observe that the judiciary has the same problem as academia; its ranks include many high-profile characters who, shielded from direct accountability, are free to propagate their views with impunity. But I don’t know many conservatives who wish to abandon the constitutional concept of life terms for federal judges (though this impulse has sometimes been pursued at the state level, of course). Instead, we cling to the ideal of an independent judiciary and fight our battles through the nomination process and pursue vigorous public debate about the proper role of judges, etc. The problem is the culture, not the system, and that is unfortunate. It is a good deal more difficult to change the culture of a profession or class than it is to tweak the structure.

I do have mixed feelings about defending the structure that has protected so many repugnant views and personalities. But I do not for a moment believe that abolishing tenure would make things any better. It would simply create a new status quo to which faculties must conform if they want security. I have seen far too many instances where the whims (educational, philosophical, economic, or otherwise) of administrators or trustees would bring terribly unfortunate consequences if they were not tempered by a (somewhat) empowered faculty — and the vast majority of those controversies have had nothing to do with national politics.

Tim Byars