Delving Into Expectations, Experiences, Exploitations, and Erosion of Tenure-Track Faculty

Abstract

Institutions of higher education seek to fill tenure-track positions with academic professionals who possess the appropriate education, experience, and expertise and who fit the institution's culture, climate, and community. Professional educators also seek fit that enables them to fulfill their expectations to feel safe, function securely, foster innovation, and flourish holistically. However, many tenure-track faculty frequently encounter exploitation of fairness (i.e., respect, acceptance, equity, inclusion, and belonging). Exploitations can be attributed to dysconsciousness determined by the exploiter's self-determined stance as the status quo that accelerates disenfranchisement. Examining relevant contexts, conditions, causes, and catalysts reveals explicit and implicit biases emphasizing the importance for professional discernment. This chapter offers eight commitments of critical consciousness to spark fairness and strengthen fit for all administrators and faculty.