Students start petition to get prof tenured

College junior Jared Feiger was captivated by Political Science professor David Rousseau's course in international relations theory last semester. He described Rousseau as a devoted and enthusiastic teacher who cares about his students.

So, Feiger was dismayed to find out that Rousseau did not receive tenure -- a long-term offer to teach and research at the University -- and would not be returning to Penn next year.

After collecting 100 signatures from Rousseau's former students, Feiger delivered a letter to the administration praising Rousseau and asking for the decision to be reviewed.

"We just wanted them to reconsider granting him tenure based on the overwhelming support," Feiger said. "I hope the administration realizes students normally don't submit petitions with 100 students' signatures."

Though the students' show of support is unusual, the situation that prompted it is not. Almost half of assistant professors who start out on the tenure track at Penn fail to receive a coveted tenure offer.

And it is unclear whether student support can alter a decision that has already been made.

Penn's policy requires assistant professors to be evaluated during their sixth year at the University. If denied tenure in their sixth year, they are granted a terminal seventh year, during which they are advised to search for a position outside the University.

However, professors can opt to wait until their seventh year for the tenure review -- an option that Associate Provost Janice Bellace said Rousseau took advantage of.

Rousseau, who is best known for teaching an introductory course on international relations, did not return calls for comment.

According to Director of Institutional Research and Analysis Bernard Lentz, only 49 percent of all assistant professors who start out on the tenure track eventually receive tenure -- a full-time, guaranteed position.

Lentz said that a variety of reasons prevent faculty from becoming tenured, such as personal decisions to withdraw or an attractive position at another institution, as well as rejection during the actual process.

It is also common for assistant professors to resign prior to the tenure review if they receive indication that it will not end successfully.

In his reply to the students, College Dean Dennis DeTurck said that during tenure reviews each professor is evaluated on three criteria -- research, teaching and service to the University.

"The clearest cases for tenure occur when a candidate excels along all three axes," DeTurck wrote in his reply. "Occasionally, a candidate's exceptional research credentials can overcome minor deficiencies along the other two axes."

Student input is generally sought prior to the final decision. Course reviews, student comments and letters are all part of the tenure review file that is made for each professor.

DeTurck added that although he was not familiar with the particulars of the Rousseau case, it was considered with "due diligence" before a decision was reached.

He gave no indication that the decision will be revisited.

Though Bellace was also not familiar with the Rousseau case in particular, she said that candidates requesting to be evaluated in their seventh year do so for a reason.

"It is usually the candidate himself who feels his record is not as strong as it should be, and perhaps he is waiting for some publications to come up," Bellace said.

She said that had the review taken place during the sixth year as is typical, the candidate could have asked to be reconsidered during his terminal year.

"It's somewhat like being in a law firm. You are hired as an associate ... [and] you have to make it as partner, and if you don't make it as a partner you are out," Bellace said.

"There's a lot of pressure on people, and since we are a very top university, we have very high standards."

Although he appreciated DeTurck's detailed response, Feiger said the students are still hoping that the University will change its mind about Rousseau.

"I realize the chances might not be high," Feiger said. "I just hope they would reconsider this case in some way."

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