On November 14, The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved new guidelines for protecting and strengthening tenure through the periodic evaluation of tenured faculty within the U. T System. Although the guidelines were broadly circulated prior to enactment, I would like to take this additional opportunity to explain them to the faculty, staff, and students of the U. T. System institutions. The Importance of Tenure. Academic institutions have a special need for practices that protect freedom of expression, since the core of the academic enterprise involves a continual reexamination of ideas.
Academic disciplines thrive and grow through critical analysis of conventions and theories.
Throughout history, the process of exploring and expanding the frontiers of learning has necessarily challenged the established order. That is why tenure is so valuable, not merely for the protection of individual faculty members but also as an assurance to society that the pursuit of truth and knowledge commands our first priority. Without freedom to question, there can be no freedom to learn. Although such statements in strong support of tenure have been reinforced at every stage of the development of the new guidelines, I know that some faculty remain concerned that any changes in the current regulations and procedures related to tenured faculty represent a threat to tenure itself. To those faculty, I wish to reiterate that these guidelines have been crafted so that they defend, enhance, and strengthen the system of tenure.