The Regrettable Underenforcement of Incompetence as Cause To Dismiss Tenured Faculty

Authors

David M. Rabban, University of Texas School of LawFollow

Document Type

Symposium

Publication Date

12-15-2015

Publication Citation

91 Indiana Law Journal 39 (2015)

Abstract

Universities are extremely reluctant to dismiss tenured professors for incompetence. This reluctance compromises the convincing and broadly accepted justification for the protection of academic freedom through tenure set forth in the 1915 Declaration of Principles of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). After asserting that society benefits from the academic freedom of professors to express their professional views without fear of dismissal, the 1915 Declaration maintained that the grant of permanent tenure following a probationary period of employment protects academic freedom. Yet the 1915 Declaration also stressed that academic freedom does not extend to expression that fails to meet professional standards. Nor, it added, does permanent tenure prevent dismissal for cause, which could include “professional incompetency” as well as misconduct. It reasoned that only fellow faculty members have the expertise to determine departures from professional standards. It, therefore, insisted that a professor is entitled to a hearing by a committee of faculty peers before being dismissed and that professors have an “obligation” to serve on these committees.

Erratum

Note: This Early Winter issue replaces the normal Fall issue of the Indiana Law Journal.

Recommended Citation

Rabban, David M. (2015) "The Regrettable Underenforcement of Incompetence as Cause To Dismiss Tenured Faculty," Indiana Law Journal: Vol. 91: Iss. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/ilj/vol91/iss1/4