Assessing Perceptions of Fairness and Collegiality Among Tenure-Seeking Faculty of Color at Research Institutions

• In Event: Exploring the Unspoken Racialized Processes for Minoritized Tenure-Seeking Faculty

Abstract

AAUP views the growing use of collegiality as a separate criterion for tenure and promotion "as highly unfortunate, and [they] believe that it should be discouraged." The Association goes on to say that a "distinct criterion of collegiality also holds the potential of chilling faculty debate and discussion. Criticism and opposition do not necessarily conflict with collegiality," especially when faculty criticism, opposition, or resistance is rooted in perceptions of unfairness or discrimination for instance.
In this analysis, these researchers will assess the statistical relationship between perceptions of fairness and collegiality among pre-tenure, faculty of color at a large, public research university. By focusing on a research institution, they attempt to control for differences in faculty reward structures and varying degrees of importance placed on primary activities of faculty (i.e., teaching, research, service). Also, by limiting the sample to a public institution, the researchers attempt to focus on a campus that's open, democratic, and governed by policies that prohibit discrimination and harassment.
Finding from this analysis can be used to inform national policy guidelines by AAUP or work to improve tenure and promotion standards a colleges and universities, particularly for RMFC.

Authors

• Royel M. Johnson, University of Southern California

• Terrell Lamont Strayhorn, Virginia Union University