Regents begin first read of revised tenure, post‑tenure review and workload policies; faculty concerns noted

The Kansas Board of Regents considered a first read of proposed changes to tenure, post‑tenure review and instructional workload policies. Regent Johnston introduced the item and Vice President Rusty Monholland summarized staff edits made after stakeholder feedback.

Monholland told the board that staff had removed references that misclassified extension agents as faculty, added teaching to examples of faculty responsibilities, and clarified language indicating that workload tables are illustrative rather than prescriptive. He said KU and KSU distinguished professors and legislators submitted feedback the board had not yet fully vetted.

Faculty senate presidents raised concerns, according to materials cited by staff, that some provisions are overly rigid, lack transparent due‑process safeguards and concentrate administrative power. Specific concerns included the use of two consecutive unsatisfactory evaluations as a trigger for action, the absence of timelines and consequences for improvement plans and limitations on committee composition for post‑tenure review.

Regent Johnston and others said the board aims to balance accountability with protections that enable faculty to pursue controversial or long‑term research. "We want to make sure that we continue to have quality in our programs," Johnston said, and Monholland emphasized that the policy should strengthen transparency and accountability while preserving tenure’s role in protecting academic inquiry.

The item was presented as a first read; staff said they will convene additional stakeholders and return with revised language and options for the board to consider at a later meeting.