It has become popular in some circles to argue against the practice of tenure in today’s world. Tenure was originally instituted to protect the academic freedom of faculty members whose teaching and/or scholarship was controversial, who were therefore at risk of being fired for their beliefs alone. It is true that most of us do not do the kinds of work that need that kind of protection. But there’s more to the story than that, I think.

For me, tenure means that Loyola and I have made a long-term commitment to each other — I have a major stake in the future of the institution I have made my home. To hold up my end of the bargain, I have an obligation not only to give my best in the classroom and in my scholarship, where I represent Loyola to the broader musicological community and the public, but also to work for the good of the institution.

That last part is arguably more important after tenure than before, and it is also in many ways more possible: it can be hard to speak freely without the protection of tenure, or to risk giving time and energy to particularly time-intensive or difficult committee work — such as the revision of the Common Curriculum. For those of us who have received tenure, however, it is not only more possible to spend that kind of time, it becomes a greater responsibility to be willing to do so.

Critics of tenure point to individuals who abandon their campus responsibilities, or who achieve tenure without demonstrating their capabilities, especially in the classroom. Those situations certainly do occur, but I think they are rarer than most people think. Still, a few words on each area are warranted.

Tenure is not given lightly, nor should it be. It is not based on a single decision, but on the judgment of both faculty and administration on the departmental, college and university level over a period of years. Candidates are evaluated more than once (and in some places, such as my college, every year) on their teaching, scholarship and creative work, and service. Suggestions for improvement can be made, and concerns can be raised, well before the actual tenure decision takes place. While there is always room for error, here at Loyola at least, the evaluation process seems to me to be both reasonably articulated and fairly implemented on the whole. Individuals who receive tenure here have generally done plenty to demonstrate that they are fully committed to their teaching and other activities.

It is true that some people after receiving tenure stop paying attention to their teaching, or scholarship and creative work, or service — or all three. Here at Loyola, however, there are actually some external safeguards in place: my own college long ago instituted a mandatory process of quadrennial review for tenured faculty, and tenured faculty across campus, like all ordinary faculty, continue to be evaluated yearly through merit pay determinations.

Most people on this campus, though, do not slack off, as far as I can see. Indeed, as I try to keep up my commitments to my students and my scholarship in the face of ever-increasing service responsibilities, I find that I may actually work more, and I see that in many of my colleagues as well. When I look around campus, in fact, I see some real danger of burnout among those who are trying to do ever more, or those who feel their activities in fact aren’t making a difference. That is something that should concern us all.

There is a place for part-time faculty, and for full-time faculty who are not on the tenure track — not because others won’t work as hard, but because they allow a university to respond more nimbly to change or to specific needs. But there is also, I believe, an important place for a strong central cohort of tenured faculty who can provide long-term stability and work toward the university’s future. The Loyola community deserves nothing less.

Alice V. Clark is a music history and medieval studies professor. She can be reached at [email protected]

On the Record is a weekly column open to any member of Loyola’s faculty and staff. Those interested in contributing can contact [email protected]

Tenured political science professor Roger White lectures to his class. As Loyola’s percentage of tenured faculty stabilizes, the issue of tenure and its role at the university has become increasingly important. (KEVIN ZANSLER/photo managing editor)