The State College of Florida in Sarasota, Fla., has decided to abolish tenure and give newly hired professors annual contracts that the school can decline to renew, the
Daily Caller reports.
In a 7-1 vote by the school board, the decision will only affect new hires, but many staff members are concerned that the decision will enable the school to fire faculty as soon as controversial topics are brought up.
"If not for tenure, professors would be attacked every time there is a change in the wind,” faculty senate president Robyn Bell told the
Bradenton Herald. “Part of our jobs as professors is to challenge the norm, the standard and to get our students to think outside of the box. A continuing contract means I can do that without losing my job.”
Board members, however, have noted that tenure was more of a hindrance as professors abused tenure by bringing up controversial topics and "ranting" to their classes without any consequences.
“I support academic freedom, but academic freedom is not academic immunity,” said fellow trustee Craig Trigueiro.
According to the Daily Caller, there is a national trend of hiring more adjunct professors, who are not eligible for tenure. And, the latest vote could possibly be the start of four-year- colleges abolishing tenure entirely.
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