Former University of Colorado professor famously lost his position at CU despite holding tenure. (Mark Leffingwell, Daily Camera)
Re: “Should tenure protect ‘unhinged fanatics’ like Steven Salaita?,” Aug. 13 Vincent Carroll column.
There are a couple things wrong with Vincent Carroll’s conclusion on tenure.
First, these are paying students who deserve the best of the best. No student should be subjected to a foul-mouthed professor. Second, and most importantly, a professor is supposed to be forming the minds and actions of our young adults by teaching them to think critically and rationally, to research and have reasons to back up and support their decisions and conclusions, and to articulate their thoughts professionally so that they will be listened to in the future.
An educator is not to hold our students hostage to his beliefs with the ability to flunk or pass a student. A professor has every right to express his beliefs, but he needs to do so with professional integrity and open dialogue with his students. There should be accountability to uphold all educators to these standards.
If tenure stands in the way of providing our students the best education possible, then it is ineffective.
Carol Summerlin, Littleton
This letter was published in the Aug. 21 edition.
