Faulty Towers: Tenure and the Structure of Higher Education - Softcover

Roger E. Meiners (author)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0945999895 ISBN 13: 9780945999898

Publisher: Independent Institute, 2004

Synopsis

Setting the record straight about the institution of academic tenure, this book elucidates its history, legal status, and common misunderstandings. Meiners argues that the original aim of tenure—to ensure academic freedom and integrity—can still be achieved and that the belief by many professors that tenure is a guarantee of lifelong entitlement, whereby only the commission of a crime can lead to dismissal, is wrong. He contends that as long as college administrators follow the rules of their own institution, there is little to prevent universities from dismissing tenured faculty who have become incompetent.

About this title

Review:

"A comprehensive and telling analysis of tenure issues . . . The well-argued and sound recommendations would result in better research and teaching." -- Herbert J. Walberg, emeritus research professor of education and psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago

"A very sensible, balanced and informed book on the complex problems of governing colleges and universities." -- Nathan Glazer, professor of education and sociology, emeritus, Harvard University

"A welcome contribution to the debate over tenure . . . especially effective in explicating the tensions inherent in protecting academic freedom." -- Henry M. Levin, professor of economics and education, Columbia University

"Uncloaks the mystery of tenure. A must read for anyone interested in the very real problems of higher education." -- John W. Sommer, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of North Carolina, Charlotte; former dean, School of Social Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas

"We must seriously reassess the rules that govern higher education. Amacher and Meiners are clear-headed guides for this endeavor." -- Donald J. Boudreaux, professor of economics, George Mason University

About the Author:

Roger E. Meiners is a professor of law and economics at the University of Texas at Arlington. He is the author of Common Law and the Environment, Cutting Green Tape, and Federal Support of Higher Education. He is the former director of the Atlanta regional office of the Federal Trade Commission. He lives in Arlington, Texas.

About this edition

• Publisher: Independent Institute
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0945999895
• ISBN 13: 9780945999898
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96