The public learned nothing of such matters. The people in the best position to provide informed commentary were quiet. Two senior administrators at Auburn remarked that they felt personally vulnerable since they lack the protection of tenure. That last observation was in fact the inspiration for this column. Our colleagues in administration were reminded how limited was their ability to voice their concerns.
Tenure represents both individual privilege and professional responsibility.
To the individual, tenure provides academic freedom based on security. Professionally, tenure is about the protection of intellectual freedom in academia. As a matter of professional responsibility, it is the task of tenured faculty to help create a climate which encourages academic freedom for all, whether our halls are clad in ivy or kudzu. Academic freedom is a priceless heritage, absolutely essential to the functioning of higher education. The institution of tenure and the central role of tenured faculty in university governance are fundamental principles of the AAUP, a critically important bastion in defense of academic freedom.