Frankly, tenure has never made sense to me. Why would any professor ever be “fired” for a new proof in Math or a different explanation of Physics? Why would you fire a Chemistry professor who found new things to do with methane?
I doubt that this has anything to do with Freedom of Speech. They want to protect the underperforming faculty who are shielded by tenure. They are also intolerant lefties who will do whatever is needed to keep out anyone who disagrees with their political philosophy. They are the real enemies of free speech.
Fayetville, home of University of Arkansas, is a hot bed of liberal activity.
NW Arkansas in general is also a nexus for liberal activism. The once bucolic pace has been replaced by an instant strip mall city stertching from the Missouri line to the Boston Mountains with all the trappings of any metro area and increasingly populated, thanks to wamart’s mandate, with transplants from the NE. The local television stations give all manner of favor to liberal activities of any stripe particularly abortion, pot legalization, lgbt crap, globull warming, illegals and sanctuary to name but a few. They always spin in favor of liberal causes and never miss an opportunity to repay national news that bashes Trump.
The regents appear to be trying to curb some of this on the campus of the hogs.