The number of tenured faculty members at Boston College has dropped in recent years, while the proportion of Professors of the Practice (PoPs) has increased. 

“Certainly, the increase in the non-tenure track, which are the professors of the practice, you know, that was a conscious effort,” said Vice Provost for Faculties Billy Soo.

While both tenured professors and PoPs teach classes, the two roles apply entirely different standards, with the University screening tenure-track professors for their research ability and PoPs for their teaching skills or experience in the field, according to Soo. 

Since 2004, the proportion of BC faculty who hold tenure has dropped from 73 percent to 51 percent. Meanwhile, the number of faculty who hold PoP or non-tenure track titles has risen from 18 percent to 33 percent since 2008, according to data compiled from BC institutional statistics. 

Nationwide, higher education institutions have mirrored BC’s upward trend in temporary or contract-based professors. The percentage of part-time faculty increased from 33 percent in 1985 to 48 percent in 2021, according to an American Association of University Professors report. 

This shift in hiring priorities is meant to align with BC’s need for strong research alongside an emphasis on teaching, Soo said.

“We really expect a lot from our faculty,” Soo said. “We want them to do great research, but we also care about what they’re doing in the classroom. We’ve tried to meet this need by making sure we have this group of faculty that can spend more time with students, at the same time, without diminishing the ability of our research faculty to continue to engage in research.”

“Tied to Business” 

The University hires PoPs through temporary contracts—ranging from one to five years based on length of service and rank—while tenure-track professors earn a permanent position after receiving tenure, according to Soo. 

“Professors of the practice are contract workers … but tenured professors are basically a guaranteed job for life, unless they do something really outrageous,” said Paul Christensen, a PoP in the political science department. 

Christensen believes these national shifts are due, in part, to universities being run more like businesses. 

“[These national trends are] part of a larger move away from, in my view, from a view of higher education as something that serves the public good,” Christensen said. “More toward higher education as something that is tied to business, tied to the broader economy.”

The start-up costs for research facilities, in fact, can make hiring tenured professors less cost-effective for the University, according to Soo. 

“When you’re hiring [tenure] track, you’re basically paying them more money to do less teaching,” Soo said. “Certainly the research expectations are there, and it’s also more expensive because establishing research labs are expensive.”

“Certain Rules and Regulations” 

Despite a 15 percent increase in non-tenure track professors over the past 17 years, PoPs still lack certain faculty rights at BC, especially when it comes to voting and serving on committees, according to the faculty handbook.

“Non-tenure-track faculty members are not eligible to serve on university-wide statutory committees established by provision of the University Statutes,” the Faculty Handbook states. “The Provost will determine the eligibility of non-tenure-track faculty to vote in university-wide elections and to serve on university-wide committees.”

Tracy Regan, a PoP in the economics department, highlighted the distinction in non-tenure track professors’ voting rights, sharing that it can also differ between departments. 

“There are certain rules and regulations in play with respect to voting rights for tenure-track and tenured versus untenured faculty members,” said Regan. “Some of these are within—the statutes from the bylaws of the universities, but departments handle things differently.”

PoPs are expected to primarily focus on teaching through their role at BC, and although they have the option to pursue research, it is not part of their annual faculty evaluations, according to Soo. Meanwhile, tenure-track faculty primarily focus on research. 

In addition to their research abilities, Rev. Philip Larrey, a PoP in the philosophy department, believes that tenured professors are also more deeply evaluated for the similarity of their values to the University.

“I think the institution values [tenured professors] also, because you’re not going to be granted tenure if you’re constantly a thorn in the side of the institution,” Larrey said. “They want people that are going to enhance the institution, that are like-minded.”

“Living the Dream” 

Even amid the difficulties PoPs face, including job insecurity and decreased pay, Regan said the focus on teaching remains deeply rewarding. 

“Somewhere along the way, I realized, oh, it’s actually the teaching stuff that I love,” said Regan. “I like doing the research…but I think I’m actually really good at the teaching thing. And I really love it. It’s a part of the day I look forward to.”

Similarly, Matthew Rutledge, a PoP in the economics department, emphasized that the hurdles PoPs face do not limit his commitment to his role. 

“I hope I’m in my last job, and I’m not young enough to retire by any means,” Rutledge said. “If I’m here for another 25 years, 30 years, that’s living the dream. ” 

The University works to highlight the value of teaching-centered roles by distinguishing PoPs from their peers, according to Rutledge.

“They use the ‘professor of the practice’ label so that we can signal to people who are interested in working here, saying, ‘No, we’re taking your experience seriously,’” Rutledge said. “And as a result, you can really make yourself a valuable part of our community, both our department and in the university broadly.” 

Rutledge believes that a commitment to PoPs reflects BC’s purpose of providing its students with a Jesuit education, starting from the well-rounded faculty and PoPs they hire.

“We are seeing that same connection to other faculty, ourselves, that we get an opportunity to collaborate with them, collaborate on research, collaborate on teaching, collaborate in university service, like we really try to get involved in that right away,” said Rutledge. 

“A Slow Journey” 

While PoPs’ titles limit their abilities to vote or serve on committees, Regan said University administrators still actively engage with PoPs—the process just looks a little different. 

“The Provost Office and certainly the Dean’s office, they’re very open to hearing from professors of the practice,” Regan said. “Things can be said, but sometimes the practice of things might be a little bit different.”

While her role as a PoP is rewarding, Regan believes that there is still work to be done in honoring the efforts of PoPs at universities. 

“I worked very hard to try to get some recognition of our value and to have information shared with professors of the practice,” Regan said. “It’s been a slow journey.”

Regan hopes that BC will consider expanding the PoP position to create a system similar to tenure-track positions in the future. 

“So there are certain universities throughout the country that are establishing something akin to a tenured position for teaching positions,” said Regan. “I think it would be wonderful if BC actually moved in that direction.”