Much of the debate about the terms and conditions of faculty appointments occurs in an information vacuum. On all aspects of the issue, defenders and detractors alike generally rely more on anecdotes than data. Thus, viewpoints are just that—personal opinions loosely tethered or, worse, altogether unattached to empirical data. This does little to advance the quality of the national dialogue on tenure and related policies.

Similar problems arise at the campus level, especially when changes in policies or procedures are under consideration. At a fundamental level, most institutions do not have ready access to the promotion and tenure policies and documents of other institutions. Consequently, questions about professional norms, practices at peer institutions, and national trends are frequently answered incorrectly, if at all.

• Appointment Policy Archive
• Profile of Faculty Appointment Practices