Section 16-5A-51

(a) Each governing board shall adopt a policy regarding tenure. The policy shall: (1) Address the granting of tenure; (2) Allow for the dismissal of a tenured faculty member pursuant to Section 16-5A-52; (3) Provide periodic post-tenure review for all tenured faculty at the institution pursuant to Section 16-5A-53; and (4) Authorize the dismissal of a tenured faculty member who has committed serious misconduct, subject to the requirements of Section 16-5A-54. (b) Each public institution of higher education may design its policies to fit the institution’s particular educational mission, traditions, resources, and circumstances relevant to the institution’s character, role, and scope. (c) A governing board may adopt or maintain policies that are more stringent than the requirements of this article. Nothing in this article shall require a governing board to weaken or replace any existing institutional policies that exceed the minimum standards provided by this article. (d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a)(3), a governing board may continue a post-tenure review policy established before October 1, 2026, rather than adopting a new policy, if the post-tenure review policy meets the requirements of this article and any policy adopted by the governing board pursuant to this article. (Act 2026-432, §2.)