The Real History of Tenure.

The article focuses on the history and significance of tenure in American universities, emphasizing that tenure has always served both academic freedom and labor protection purposes. Originating from early academic freedom disputes, tenure became widespread not only to safeguard intellectual independence but also to recruit and retain skilled faculty by providing economic security and job stability. The 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) formalized tenure practices, reflecting broader institutional and economic factors, including post-World War II educational expansion and Cold War priorities. The article argues that understanding tenure's dual role is crucial for effectively responding to contemporary efforts to weaken tenure protections, which threaten the labor infrastructure essential to higher education.