NON-TENURED ASSOCIATE AND ASSISTANT PROFESSORS AT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS: AN ASSESSMENT OF FACULTY BY SEX AND RAC

This study sought to determine whether members of the protected classes (white women and minorities) were more highly represented in nontenure track than in probationary tenure track positions at public four-year colleges and universities. In addition, it sought to assess the magnitude and direction of changes in the sex and ethnic composition of nontenure track and probationary tenure track associate and assistant professors since 1975.;The sample consisted of mid-range public four-year colleges and universities with tenure systems. For the purposes of the study, institutions were classified as employing tenured and probationary tenure track faculty at the ranks of associate and assistant professor (Type I institutions) or as employing tenured, probationary tenure track, and nontenure track faculty at the ranks of associate and assistant professor (Type II institutions).;Data representing the sex and ethnic profiles of nontenured associate and assistant professors were analyzed to determine whether (1) there were significant differences in the sex and ethnic composition of probationary tenure track faculty at Type I and Type II institutions; (2) there were significant differences in the sex and ethnic composition of probationary tenure track and nontenure track faculty at Type II institutions; and (3) there was evidence of a significant change in the sex and ethnic composition of probationary tenure track and nontenure track faculty between 1975 and 1981.;The raw data demonstrated consistently that members of the protected classes were more highly represented in nontenure track than in probationary tenure track positions. However, the differences in representation did not prove to be statistically significant.;The study found that the sex and ethnic profiles of probationary tenure track associate and assistant professors at Type I and Type II institutions were similar. Sex and ethnic profiles for probationary tenure track and nontenure track faculty at Type II institutions were also similar.;The data demonstrated that significant increases in representation in probationary tenure track positions had been achieved by white females and Asian-American/Pacific Islander males in the sample. White males and black males suffered commensurate decreases in representation, with black male losses far more significant than those of majority white males. Generally, the minority share of nontenured positions in 1975 and 1981 remained stable.