Finally a conservative writer understands the real purpose of tenure. He still mentions the “deadwood” crap, which is at best a side effect. The real effect of tenure is to select HARD-WORKING and ORTHODOX researchers. Lazy inquisitors wouldn’t be nearly as harmful as industrious inquisitors.
He adds a historical fact that I didn’t know:
Tenure was originally created at private religious universities, which were most prevalent in early America. Its purpose was to protect professors’ jobs from wealthy donors who might object to teachers of theologically controversial subjects (e.g., evolution).
This was especially surprising since in modern times Christian colleges are refuges from tenure, not the chief sources of tenure.
Polistra's Mill 