THE PUBLIC MIND: TENURE IS NOT A JOB GUARANTEE...IT'S A MATTER OF DUE PROCESS

To the Editor:

~~~~~~~The writer of the ~Southeast Missourian~'s editorial in the M~ay 7 issue incorrectly describes universit~y~ tenur~e as a "job guarantee."

Tenure is no s~uch thing. Tenure is, i~n legal jargon, a policy of due process.

A tenured prof~essor who is dismissed receives in writing the reasons for his/her dismissal. The dismissed professor also has the opportunity of presenting~ his/her case before the university's governing board if he/she so chooses. The prof~essor who is untenured does not have those two avenues of recourse if dismissed.

Robert L. Smith

~~~~Cape Girardeau