Do Tenured Professors Need to Keep Teaching Courses?

The age-old question of whether tenured college professors should continue teaching a few courses each year has sparked numerous discussions. Over the last decade, my father, a tenured professor, taught just one class per semester after decades of dedication, thanks largely to his prolific research and associated grant funding.

The Research-Driven Tenure of Professors

While my father's example isn’t the prevailing norm, it serves as an interesting case study. Universities often view research-driven professors as valuable assets, underwriting their grants and allowing them to maintain one or two teaching slots. This model can lead to a disparity in teaching loads, where senior faculty with a strong research record are less burdened than their less senior colleagues.

Is Reduced Teaching Load Justified?

The justification for lessening the teaching load of tenured professors is largely driven by the need to prevent overwork among non-tenured faculty. Tenured professors who want to focus more on research have earned the right to do so, but it is fair to ensure that the teaching responsibilities are redistributed among all faculty members.

University Teaching Policies

In many universities, including my own, tenured professors are expected to maintain a stable teaching load. For instance, the standard might be one course per semester while pre-tenure faculty members often carry a heavier teaching load to adapt to the academic environment. My department typically assigns around 12 contact hours per semester, which equates to preparing lectures, setting up and tearing down labs, writing quizzes and exams, and grading papers, all of which consume roughly double the classroom time.

To ensure fairness, some professors can apply for 'reassigned time' to reduce their teaching load. This is typically granted if the professor has a large research responsibility or significant administrative duties. However, the majority of tenured professors still need to teach, as personal interest or career objectives often drive the decision.

Large Research Universities vs. Liberal Arts

At some big-time research universities, faculty with major research programs might teach less or only graduate seminar courses. However, these exceptions are the rule rather than the norm. At UC-Berkeley in the 1990s, faculty teaching loads were lower, and grad students and course staff handled much of the support work. Still, every faculty member taught at least one course each semester, reflecting the institution's commitment to maintaining high teaching standards.

Notable Exception

Upper-level administrators, such as deans or provosts, often do not teach at all. My department had a provost who was not actively teaching, but this is not always the case. The university president at UC-Berkeley used to teach and was highly regarded for his contributions.

The primary goal of universities is to balance research, teaching, and administrative responsibilities. While some faculty members may benefit from reduced teaching loads, the integrity of the teaching environment must be maintained for the sake of students and the institution.