The application of civil service appraisal methods to the post-tenure review systems used for the evaluation of academic tenure

Debate surrounding academic tenure has increased in the years following the financial crisis of 2008. This comes in part from the unique combination of high job security and variation of duties that those with academic tenure possess. From this combination, the perception of low accountability has arisen in those outside of the profession and calls for more strict review mechanisms have increased. While this has happened many times throughout the history of academic tenure, current appraisal methods from outside of higher education could provide a solution. The civil service possesses similarly unique characteristics and has developed mechanisms for their efficient use and cultivation. From their example, this paper endeavors to find an appropriate appraisal mechanism for those with academic tenure to be applied under the current system of post-tenure review.