Frank Sinatra's song lyrics about being caught in the "tender trap" of love can be compared to the challenges that many college presidents face today.
The issue of tenure in universities is a significant obstacle for institutions trying to manage expenses and adapt to changing educational landscapes.
Tenure, originally a 20th-century American invention, provided lifelong job security to faculty members but was initially tightly controlled by university leaders.
In the latter half of the 20th century, tenure appointments became more common and increasingly influenced by the faculty themselves.
The concept of tenure has roots in medieval university practices and continues to hinder efforts to modernize higher education.
Many universities face rising skepticism about the value of their educational offerings, making it necessary to adapt and reallocate resources.
University leaders are concerned that breaking free from the anachronistic tenure system may create more problems than it solves.