One reason why acadmeics have such a rotten reputation

There isn’t an incident so bad that some misguided academic won’t attempt to enable it:

With reports of Bishop’s quirky demeanor and social awkwardness, it would be all too easy to dismiss this violent episode as just some “nut” who couldn’t handle the pressure of publish or perish. Indeed, that seems to be the prevailing view of the hundreds who have posted online comments in the days since the shooting. But to define this tragedy as just a case of psychopathology would discourage a closer look at contributing forces.

Rather than dismiss the killings as just another act of insanity or treating it as fodder for escalating the debate over concealed weapons on campuses or for justifying tighter security measures, let it serve as a vehicle for evaluating the antiquated tenure process of modern-day academe. I am not suggesting a referendum on the role and purpose of tenure but consideration of how the process could be enhanced to reduce the risk of violence and other less extreme but still undesirable responses to negative outcomes. That should include appropriate support systems and mentor programs during the uniquely awkward terminal contract year following tenure denial.

Exacerbating the problem, of course, is that with today’s economic climate, in which academic budgets are shrinking and tenure lines evaporating, tenure denial—for good reason or bad—can indeed be catastrophic. For highly trained scholars of tenure-track misfortune, the alternative opportunities can be rather slim. As Cary Nelson, president of the American Association of University Professors, told The Huntsville Times, “The most likely result of being denied tenure in this nonexistent job market is that you will not be able to continue teaching. … You probably can’t get another job.”

Of course, it isn’t as if this person hasn’t killed or attempted to kill before.

eyeroll….

Advertisement