Oklahoma Governor Bans Tenure at Regional Universities and Community Colleges
In a significant policy shift, faculty members at Oklahoma's regional public universities and community colleges can no longer be granted tenure. This change follows an executive order issued by Governor Kevin Stitt, which took effect on Thursday. The order mandates that these institutions cease offering new lifetime tenure appointments and instead hire faculty on fixed-term, renewable contracts.
New Contract System Based on Performance Metrics
The executive order directs public regional universities to adopt a contract-based hiring model. Renewals of these contracts will be contingent upon several key factors:
- Performance evaluations
- Student outcomes and success rates
- Alignment with Oklahoma's workforce and economic development needs
- Institutional service and contributions
Faculty members who already hold tenure at these institutions are permitted to retain their status. According to data from Inside Higher Ed, 761 faculty members at Oklahoma regional colleges held tenure in 2024, while 412 were on the tenure track. The same prohibition on new tenure appointments applies to Oklahoma's 13 community colleges.
Research Universities Face Stricter Reviews
The executive order does not fully extend to public research universities. Faculty at institutions such as the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University may still receive tenure or tenure-track appointments. However, they will now be subject to mandatory post-tenure reviews every five years or fewer. These reviews could lead to dismissal for sustained failure to meet performance standards.
In the order, the state argues that Oklahoma has a responsibility to manage public funds effectively and ensure accountability and measurable outcomes in higher education. Speaking to the conservative Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, Governor Stitt emphasized that taxpayer-funded jobs should not be exempt from regular performance reviews.
Academic Community Challenges Governor's Premise
Tenure researchers and higher education scholars have disputed the governor's underlying premise that tenure reduces productivity. Deepa Das Acevedo, a legal anthropologist at Emory University, told Inside Higher Ed that research does not support the idea that job insecurity leads to higher academic output. Studies across disciplines indicate that tenure does not have a measurable effect on research productivity.
National Context and Political Implications
This move places Oklahoma among a growing number of Republican-led states examining or weakening tenure protections. While similar efforts in states such as Texas and Florida have often resulted in diluted reforms, Oklahoma's approach could encourage other states to pursue stronger measures against tenure systems.
The American Association of University Professors has condemned the executive order. In a statement, AAUP president Todd Wolfson said the decision undermines academic freedom and could harm faculty recruitment and retention across the state.
Broader Higher Education Reforms in Oklahoma
Beyond faculty employment, Governor Stitt issued a second executive order directing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to develop a performance-based funding model for public colleges and universities. This plan is intended to maximize the state's return on higher education spending and is due by October 1, with implementation expected by the following academic year.
Additionally, Stitt has asked the regents to study the feasibility of a 90-credit bachelor's degree, including its academic, fiscal, workforce and accreditation implications.
Long-Term Impact on Oklahoma's Higher Education System
The immediate effect of the tenure order will be felt most directly at regional universities and community colleges. The longer-term impact will depend on how institutions adapt to contract-based hiring, expanded reviews at research universities and broader shifts toward performance-linked funding across Oklahoma's higher education system.
This policy change arrives as tenure continues to decline nationally. Data from a 2023 AAUP study show that only 23% of US faculty held full-time tenured positions in fall 2023, down from 39% in 1987. Over the past two decades, contingent appointments have increased sharply, while tenure-track roles have declined significantly.
