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SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XXXIX. No. iei6 



that the time of tenure and the duties involved 

 are " understood " by both parties. The writer 

 is convinced, however, that in most cases a 

 definite statement of these matters is desirable 

 in the appointment. A university president 

 recently remarked that some one had said that 

 all college presidents are liars. Obviously this 

 exaggeration is due to the fact that no presi- 

 dent, dean or director can remember all the 

 " understandings " necessary to manage the 

 affairs in his charge. The more business that 

 can be done in writing the better, as is shown 

 by the general practise of large business con- 

 cerns. Doubtless railroad presidents would 

 find it difficult to operate their roads and 

 might also become eligible to the " Ananias 

 Club " if they depended on " understandings " 

 instead of written letters. In many cases this 

 lack of definiteness in appointment is due to 

 the fact that the institution has no generally 

 established and generally understood policy 

 concerning these matters, a situation which 

 makes a system of definite appointment all 

 the more necessary. 



Furthermore, the appointment should state 

 the principle and essential duties of the ap- 

 pointee. Usually the title of a full profes- 

 sorial position will be sufficiently indicative. 

 If, however, an appointee is to be engaged in 

 the college, station and extension work, or in 

 more than one line, the appointment should 

 clearly state the facts. Is it fair to appoint a 

 man to an indefinite position and then expect 

 him to do whatever sort of work he may be 

 assigned, for some of which he may be poorly 

 fitted, though otherwise well qualified ? Should 

 he be asked to change his line of work unless 

 a new, definite and acceptable appointment is 

 submitted to him? The by-laws of one insti- 

 tution states that " any teacher can be called 

 upon for other duties without additional pay." 

 Instances are not uncommon where dissatis- 

 faction has arisen owing to assignment to 

 work of a kind not contemplated by the ap- 

 pointment or previously " agreed upon." The 

 replies to the questionnaire as to the appoint- 

 ment of professors for an indefinite or specific 

 term were as follows. Twenty-two institu- 

 tions appoint for an indefinite term; seven 



use a probationary period of one year and 

 two or three years, followed by indefinite 

 tenure; eight appoint annually, but claim the 

 custom of reappointing during efficient serv- 

 ice — a policy often expressed by formal reso- 

 lution of the governing board so as to be 

 equivalent to indefinite tenure; two appoint 

 strictly annually, and one uses " either " 

 method. In a few institutions professorial 

 appointments are " permanent." If thia 

 phrase — permanent tenure — implies tenure for 

 life or until old age retirement, it is much 

 better than the term " indefinite," which 

 really means nothing. Associate professors 

 are usually given the same tenure as full pro- 

 fessors, except in three institutions wherein 

 appointments are made for definite terms of 

 from one to five years. The institutions ap- 

 pointing annually, with a probationary term, 

 and for indefinite tenure, do not form any 

 natural grouping or classification. Only two 

 of the ten making annual appointments are 

 among our larger institutions and in these 

 appointees undoubtedly enjoy indefinite tenure, 

 though technically appointed annually. The 

 nine institutions wherein probationary ap- 

 pointments obtain are widely scattered and 

 are relatively small colleges. In practically 

 all of the larger institutions professors enjoy 

 indefinite or permanent tenure upon the first 

 appointment. 



In reply to the question whether all faculty 

 members were appointed annually and whether 

 such a system was opposed or favored, from 

 the ten institutions wherein the system of 

 annual appointments is in vogue only two 

 writers favored the system, while three opposed 

 it and five were silent. Thus there is prac- 

 tically unanimous opposition to annual ap- 

 pointments and commendation for the system 

 of indefinite or permanent tenure, at least 

 after a probationary period. The question- 

 naire elicited opinions to the effect that an- 

 nual elections Cause restlessness; deter strong 

 men from accepting places subject to annual 

 election; discourage loyalty to the institution; 

 are commonly perfunctory; and create an. 

 uncertainty incidental to changes in the per- 

 sonnel of the governing board. One replies 



