Professor tenure has long been a staple of the university and academic culture–that is, until now.

As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges & universities nationwide have faced extreme financial shortfalls and steeply declining enrollment. They have had to make tough choices to keep the schools afloat. These tough choices have included the previously unthinkable–gutting teacher tenure and laying off professors who had essentially enjoyed job security for life.

The American Association of University Professors says it has received more than 100 complaints from professors about extreme “power grabs” by university presidents regarding their job security and tenure during COVID-19. In September, schools nationwide were reported to have employed 150,000 fewer people than they did last year, a cut of about 10%.

Schools are being forced to make tough choices amid economic hardship, and the end to teacher tenure may be in sight as a result.

What do you think about this decision by universities? Should we have teacher tenure in America? Let us know in the comments! ????