By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Each April, the Barton Community College Board of Trustees is presented a tenure faculty contract renewal list. The list is divided into four categories. The tenure track is for those instructors still in their first three years of service to the institution. The tenure eligible includes teachers coming out of their third year and are available for tenure status.
At the Board’s study session Tuesday, Barton Vice President of Instruction Elaine Simmons said the next section includes faculty currently tenured through the college and finally a non-renewal section.
"Tenure is not a guarantee that forever you're employed," said Simmons. "They're still evaluated every year just like any faculty and staff. It does give a good faith between the employee and the employer that we've recognized that you have moved through this tenure process and you're in good standing."
Tenure goes to fulltime faculty only and not adjunct instructors.
Barton’s April 2025 tenure draft includes 20 instructors on the tenure track, seven that are tenure eligible and 34 that are already tenured. Five names were listed on the non-renewal list for either retirement, resignation or position change reasons.
"Tenured faculty, just like any employee, can run into trouble sometimes," said Simmons. "There can be performance plans initiated for employees of this institution. It's not a guarantee that you'll never get in trouble. It's not a guarantee that you're going to work here until you're 100. It's a sign of good faith that you have started well and that we support you and want you as part of our faculty."
The Board of Trustees will be presented a motion to approve the faculty contract renewal list at their board meeting on April 22.