Protect Tenure & Academic Freedom in Iowa
Iowa House Speaker Linda Upmeyer
A bill has been introduced into the Iowa State Senate that would eliminate tenure at public institutions in the state, even for faculty who have already have it. Following legislative attacks on collective bargaining rights and tenure in Wisconsin, this is the next step in a concerted assault against faculty and higher education in Iowa and across the country. Similar legislation was introduced almost simultaneously in Missouri, and we expect more to follow. Now is the time to take a stand for academic freedom, an independent faculty and higher education in Iowa.
Sponsored by
To:
Iowa House Speaker Linda Upmeyer
From:
[Your Name]
Dear Speaker Upmeyer,
As citizens of Iowa, we strongly oppose Senate File 41 which prohibits “establishment or continuation” of a tenure system at all public institutions of higher education in the state.
Academic tenure safeguards academic freedom and higher education’s contribution to a functioning democracy. It is earned only after a probationary period of at least six years and a rigorous, multi-step review, and it does not preclude faculty from being terminated for cause.
Tenure is essential for the free exploration and expression of ideas and the quality education that we want to provide students. Eliminating tenure would endanger the quality of Iowa universities and undermine efforts to attract faculty to the state.
We ask that you decline to bring Senate File 41 to a vote should it be forwarded to the House.