Senior faculty renewal at research universities: Implications for academic policy development

Abstract

This descriptive study outlines the current state of academic policy development at research universities in four critical areas: (a) the academic labor market, (b) the academic reward structure, (c) faculty seniority and retirement, and (d) institutional research and planning. The survey respondents were coordinators and directors of faculty development programs and selected academic affairs administrators representing major research universities across the United States. The findings confirm the need for research universities to develop more flexible academic personnel policies in support of senior faculty development and renewal. Additional findings show that a majority of research universities have initiated policies to increase the supply of a new and more diverse faculty by increasing retention and recruitment efforts. Also, the survey results point to unprecedented changes in institutional policies that significantly affect the academic reward structures at an increasing number of research universities particularly with regard to the appropriate mix of the two central roles of faculty—teaching and research.