Every time I share my analogy of tenure on the TV show Survivor(TM), fellow faculty start laughing, nodding, and shoving each other like school-age kids. Why do they react this way? Because the comparison hits the mark so squarely and exposes extreme pressure, high costs, and yes, some silly but necessary strategies to successfully navigate the ownership process.

opening scene

• The camera zooms into a dark room, quite eerie, with wisps of smoke dancing in the air.
• The chant theme song from the television show Survivor(TM) plays in the background with drumming punctuating the darkness with impending fear, even dread.
• Our eyes are drawn to the glowing torches placed around the campfire and the empty benches…
• The music ramps up as the tenured faculty (in all their academic regalia, of course) enter. They keep their eyes down and walk in solemn procession. Precisely, they occupy their privileged places in the “tribal council of tenure”.

The scene makes for a vivid and rather comical picture, doesn’t it? No doubt, if you’re in the position of holding higher education, you’re having a laugh and adding more detail to the scene. So join me in considering the lessons we can learn about the ownership process by considering its parallels to this popular reality show.

1. You will be voted out by the tribal council, but in your case it is the tenure and promotion committee.
2. You can be kicked off the academic island if you don’t “play nice with others”.
3. Determine the customs, rules and expectations of the tribe or else you will make fatal mistakes in public and elections.
4. modestly exceed the expectations of the tribe or else you will disturb the dead wood.
5. Have a strategic plan to handle the demands of the tribe, or else you will be affected.
6. Make yourself invaluable to the tribe or you’ll be the first out.
7. Build strategic alliances to protect yourself from attacks to come.
8. Beware of enemy alliances. It is not a question of if they will attack, but of when.
9. Don’t blindly trust anyone, there are too many hidden agendas to learn in this life.
10. Document your achievements to the tribe using the approved code (oral tradition, tenure chart, charter) or else you will not be valued and willpower be disqualified at the council meeting.

keep in mind, this article does not intend to question or devalue tenure and promotion. The author highly values ​​these processes and what they represent when followed with the best intentions of academia.

However, this short parable provides insights to help us laugh at the pressure and tension we all experience in this process. It can also help us consider real and ironic strategies that can help people evaluate their actions in this difficult org-wide experience.

I want to say clearly that I greatly appreciate the hard work of all the tenure and promotion committees, deans, division presidents, mentors, and faculty who give their time to make the process work well.

Above all, I wish all candidates seeking tenure and promotion great success!

I sincerely hope that we can all enjoy a good round of laughs while seeing ourselves from a different perspective. Who knew we were probably stars of this show?