Conservatives take aim at tenure for university professors

MISSION, Kan. (AP) – In several red states around the country, conservative officials say it’s time to reconsider tenure for university professors.

The indefinite academic appointments have faced review from lawmakers or state oversight boards in at least half a dozen states, often presented as bids to rein in academics with liberal views.

The trend is a reflection of how conservative scrutiny of instruction related to race, gender and sexuality has extended from K-12 schools to higher education.

But budget considerations also play a role.

Tenured faculty numbers have been declining even in more liberal states as universities hire more adjunct instructors amid declines in public funding.