Of all the full-time professors in the United States, only 27 percent are women, according to a report released two weeks ago by the American Association of University Women.
However, the percentage of tenured female faculty at AU is higher than the national average, according to Dean of Academic Affairs Ivy Broder. About 35 percent of AU's 317 tenured faculty members are women, she said. Also, 57 percent of the 119 AU professors who will be eligible for tenure within six years are women, Broder added.
A tenure-track faculty member becomes eligible for tenure after completing six years of service at AU.
The faculty member must prepare a file that includes a curriculum vitae, evaluations from students and colleagues, and published professional work. Each school sets requirements for what is considered acceptable professional work, such as articles published in academic journals. After the file is submitted, it is evaluated by Broder, the department chair, rank and tenure committee, dean of the school or college, and the Committee on Faculty Relations.
While tenure can help ensure that faculty members do not lose positions without adequate cause, some believe that the disadvantages may outweigh the benefits.
"I do think tenure is problematic and am not convinced that the benefits in terms of academic freedom are worth the problems," said Lynn Fox, a professor in the education department.
If faculty members believe there has been discrimination in the tenure review process, they can go through an appeal process, Broder said. The Grievance Committee of the Faculty Senate can review the case and make a recommendation.
The American Association of University Women also has a legal defense fund that helps female professors who have been discriminated against in tenure proceedings.
Being denied tenure is dangerous because professors in that position are likely to lose their jobs or be forced to leave within a year, the report said.
Fox and the report agreed that female professors are more likely to be untenured, hold lower-rank positions, earn less and be promoted less often. This discrimination is usually subtle, they said.
Michelle Weatherald, president of the association's Legal Advocacy Fund, said women should ask for written information about tenure before accepting a faculty position. She also recommended being aware of the culture and politics of the department and to document and report discrimination immediately.
The report also recommends faculty members to keep in mind that key players in the process may change roles before the tenure process starts, and to think of the impact that might have on a professor's position.
