Bills in the Texas legislature would limit academic freedom, including tenure....
, a professor's ability to pursue knowledge without external influences or pressure, and to freely exchange ideas on campus. Academic freedom is essential to the best education for our students, the kind of education that teaches them to think critically and to listen and respect diverse opinions and perspectives.
Texas public universities are among the top research institutions in the country and the world. In fact, our state has nine. Collectively, our Texas public universities bring in billions of research dollars each year, and help support their campuses. For example, my lab is currently funded by a five-year $4.25 million NIH research grant; some of those funds go towards university infrastructure..
Once tenured, faculty members have greater flexibility, time and job security. Tenure frees them up to explore new creative areas. Yet tenure is in jeopardy because of legislation currently under deliberation. In particular, the Senate Education Committee is reviewingBig projects need the kind of stability conferred by tenure. Research takes time.
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