Does the extension of tenure clocks widen the gap between white, male academics and female assistant professors and faculty of color? For all tenure-related issues, contact The Education Team at the Lento Law Firm. We can be reached at 888-535-3686 or you can tell us your story online. 

Extending The Tenure Clock As A Response To The Pandemic 

A February 2024 article by Inside Higher Education discusses the controversial use of tenure clock delays. Extensions of tenure clocks were offered to assistant professors across the country to correct work disruptions caused by the pandemic and to allow academics more time to make up for lost research opportunities. The article reviews a 2021 survey in a peer-reviewed journal that showed that four in ten assistant and associate professors at public research universities said their research had been disrupted “a great deal” by the pandemic and about one-third who said they were “very likely” to extend their tenure clocks. Although men and women were both likely to extend, the reasons for extension showed significant differences between men and women and among racial and ethnic groups. 

Women And Faculty Of Color Cited More Disruptions  

Responses to disruptions like having to work online were noted among all responders. However,  more women cited “inability to focus attention,” “difficulty collecting data,” “health problems,” and  “childcare” as significant disruptions to research. Black and Latino academics cited “limited or no access to necessary data,” “challenges communicating with collaborators,” and “health problems” as significant disruptive factors. 

Have Women And Faculty Of Color Suffered More Harm? 

The Inside Higher Education article notes that this survey is the first to research the effect of the pandemic on tenure extension issues. The 32 universities and 3,970 tenure-track or already tenured faculty who responded to the survey were all from large public research facilities. The conclusion from the survey is that women and faculty of color do appear to have a disproportionate harm due to disruptions in research, and that these groups are already underrepresented in academia. 

One tenured female professor who was interviewed in the article said that these tenure delays, while useful, can be “overused.” “Pandemic Impact Statements” can be used when evaluating a tenure candidate since the pandemic is simply one more context in which to assess a tenure candidate. A female librarian who has published a literature review on studies done on women in STEM fields during the pandemic believes that the pandemic-era extensions negatively affected women in the long term. These extensions had the effect of women losing momentum in research and obtaining grants and slowing their overall productivity. 

Tenure Issues Need Effective Remedial Relief: The Lento Law Firm Can Help. 

Faculty who have experienced tenure issues deserve skilled representation. At the Lento Law Firm, our experienced and knowledgeable Education Law Team will respond to your tenure issue regardless of where you are located in the country. We have helped hundreds of university and college faculty members preserve their tenure rights. Call 888-535-3686 or complete our contact form  to discuss your tenure concerns today.