North Dakota Board of Higher Education Updates Tenure Policy, Requires Advanced Degrees
The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) has approved a revised tenure policy requiring faculty to hold a master’s degree or other advanced degree to be eligible for tenure. The unanimous vote, passed on February 22, 2024, applies to future tenure appointments and will not affect current tenured faculty within the North Dakota University System (NDUS).
Key Changes to the Tenure Policy
The updated policy aims to enhance accountability within the NDUS. Key provisions include:
- Advanced Degree Requirement: New tenure-track faculty must possess a master’s degree or equivalent to qualify for tenure. Institutions can still hire faculty without advanced degrees on a tenure track, but they must obtain the required degree to achieve tenured status. North Dakota Monitor
- Post-Tenure Reviews: Tenured faculty will undergo a committee review within the first three years of receiving tenure and every five years thereafter. North Dakota Monitor
- Shift in Language: The policy now states tenured faculty have an “expectation” of continued employment rather than a “right.” North Dakota Monitor
- Special Appointments: Colleges and universities can utilize special job titles for faculty with expertise in fields like trades, offering multi-year contracts that bypass the post-tenure review process. North Dakota Monitor
Legislative Context and Council of College Faculties Input
The policy update fulfills a mandate from the North Dakota Legislature, which passed House Bill 1437 in 2023, requiring a uniform tenure policy across the NDUS. North Dakota Monitor The North Dakota Council of College Faculties, representing faculty from the 11 university system campuses, was involved in the policy’s development, though the council’s vote to advance the policy was not unanimous. North Dakota Monitor
Board Perspectives
Kevin Black, chair of the SBHE, emphasized the policy’s focus on accountability. “I think we have addressed this in a way that assures accountability is part of every aspect of tenure moving forward,” he stated. North Dakota Monitor Danita Bye, a board member, highlighted the importance of including provisions for faculty in two-year colleges and trade programs. North Dakota Monitor
Academic Freedom Considerations
Lisa Montplaisir, faculty advisor to the board and a member of the Council of College Faculty, underscored that tenure is fundamentally about academic freedom, enabling faculty to address potentially controversial topics. North Dakota Monitor She noted that tenured faculty can still be dismissed for cause.
Impact on the North Dakota University System
The NDUS comprises 11 institutions, and each may implement additional requirements for tenured positions beyond the statewide policy. North Dakota Monitor The changes to the tenure policy may also necessitate adjustments to other policies, such as membership criteria for the Standing Committee on Faculty Rights. North Dakota Monitor
The State Board of Higher Education is the policy-setting and advocacy body for the North Dakota University System and the governing body for North Dakota’s 11 publicly supported colleges and universities. NDUS