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College Faculty Burnout
What leads to burnout of college faculty and what might be done about it
In the struggle for promotion with tenure, many college faculty are burning out. Under the best of circumstances, the process is stressful. For persons of color, women, and other underrepresented groups, it can be brutal. And for first-generation students, low-income students, and students of color, the promotion process can rob them of much-needed support.
The Growth of Faculty Burnout
The pages of The Chronicle of Higher Education and Inside Higher Ed are filled with stories of faculty members (and staff) who have left academia for other kinds of work. Many cite burnout as their chief reason for doing so.
The Promotion and Tenure Process
The transition from the rank of assistant professor to associate professor is the most significant advancement step for faculty because it usually comes with tenure (meaning lifetime employment). After five years of full-time service, a rigorous review occurs during the sixth year (there are usually preliminary reviews before that, typically in the third year). If the decision is positive, promotion with tenure is granted. If the decision is negative, the faculty member is granted one more year of…
