Tenure is the extension of a simple union concept called “seniority.” It seeks to justify the protection of the hierarchy on the basis of “A has been continuously employed longer than B,C ,D etc.
In terms of the righteous justification inherent in retaining employees because they have “been here longer”no evidence exists. It is simply an attempt to guarantee a measure of loyalty to the Union since it is something that can be attained through employment longevity.
Attaining tenure is dressed up in all kinds of earned or reviewed processes to give it the aura of legitimacy.
It’s still a self serving ‘me first ” program that protects academics and encourages them to thumb their collective noses at authority.
The author , being part of this process disguises his self serving nature by insuring us he is a conservative and we should give up our narrow mindedness regarding tenure.
I’m not buying it.
