AAUP Condemns South Carolina Antitenure Bill

The AAUP issued a statement in December condemning South Carolina House Bill 4522, the “Canceling Professor Tenure Act,” which seeks to end tenure in the state’s public colleges and universities. If passed, it would prohibit the awarding of tenure to faculty members appointed in 2023 or later. It would be the first law of its kind in the nation and would do irreparable damage to the state’s higher education system. Tenure serves the common good by providing academic freedom protections that enable unfettered research, innovation, and teaching. The AAUP called upon the South Carolina legislature to reject HB 4522, which disserves the public interest and undermines the ability of faculty members to do their jobs.