North Dakota lawmakers are once again debating tenure at the state’s public colleges, but a new amendment would allow it to remain—with stricter oversight. House Bill 1437 originally proposed eliminating tenure at two-year schools, but now calls for updated guidelines and more frequent reviews. Supporters argue tenure grants too much job security, while defenders say it protects academic freedom and boosts faculty productivity. The bill would require tenured professors to undergo review every three years instead of five, a change some fear would burden administrators at research universities.
The Government and Veterans Affairs Committee has yet to make a recommendation on the bill. The Bismarck Tribune has more details; that story is linked below as well as links to the bill details.
HB 1437
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15-10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the prohibition of academic tenure at two-year colleges.
House Sponsors: Motschenbacher (R, District 47), Dockter (R, District 7), Hauck (R, District 36), J. Johnson (R, District 41), Klemin (R, District 47), Lefor (R, District 37), Meier (R, District 32), Rohr (R, District 31),
Senate Sponsors: Dwyer (R, District 47), Larson (R, District 30), Rummel (R, District 37),
