V. Tenure in the Medical School

The goal of tenure and indeed of all senior level appointments is to guarantee a robust, diverse, and fully-vested senior academic community. These scholars must not be look-alikes, each adhering to a semi-rigid profile. Whereas many scholars will be somewhat conventional in profile (the several dozen papers, independent grant funding, a distinct area of scholarly focus, and an excellent educator's portfolio) some will be rather unconventional in any great academic community. These unconventional types may have more vague areas of focus or maverick ideas with little peer-appeal. They may be vital members of a scholarly team. If, however, they offer strong instructional value, unique skills, critical interdisciplinary contribution, provocative collegiality, special organizational service, and the chance of an unexpected scholarly home run, then they need to be included within our ranks.