The higher education policy journal of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Academic aims to inform public policy by exploring an array of ideas and viewpoints from academics, outside researchers and policy makers. Each issue of American Academic focuses on a theme of critical concern and interest to higher education.

AFT believes that tenure is the bulwark of accountability and quality in higher education. It ensures that the institution’s curriculum, teaching, research and other academic programs will be framed by trained and motivated professionals who possess a deep, lasting commitment to the institution. That is exactly what we want in employees. Designing ways to weaken tenure or to deny people its protections makes no sense.

Still many believe that tenure is nothing less than a lifetime job guarantee. It means professors don’t need to work hard or care about students and that professors defend tenure by saying fancy things about academic freedom, but they just want to hold on to their cushy jobs. Such beliefs are nothing more than myths based on a clear misunderstanding of the rigor and value of the tenure process—a process that our system of higher education is based on and a process that should be maintained.

The American Federation of Teachers has just released a report, titled "Faculty Bias' Studies: Science or Propaganda?"  which examines eight "studies" that purport to demonstrate how the political beliefs of faculty are disproportionately liberal and influence what is taught, learned and professed on college campuses. The report concludes that these studies are severely flawed in their methodology, and make sweeping assumptions that invalidate the "findings."

"Objective research is essential, and, clearly, that is not being put forth by the authors of the studies analyzed in these reports," says AFT president Edward J. McElroy. "It doesn’t matter if you are conservative or liberal. Bad research and inaccurate characterizations are a disservice to academia and to the students who are its central concern."