There is a discussion happening on The New York Times this morning, asking about the merits of tenure in higher education.

…Critics of the system, which provides job security, say that it promotes mediocrity and sloth among an aging academy, blocking opportunities for young scholars, and encourages useless research as tenure candidates vie to be published in jargon-filled journals that no one reads. Tenure’s defenders say that professors who have it are better able to challenge students by risking unpopularity, and to express opinions without fear of retribution. What will happen to American higher education if tenure disappears?

To read the rest and join the discussion, see What if College Tenure Dies? >>