He's proven he can teach, based on the reviews of the students, but how's his research. Essentially, tenure decisions come down to whether or not you've published. Teaching is an afterthought in the process.
Is this possibly a preemptive strike to cloud the issue because he is not publishing?
I agree. It's pretty lethal to come out four years into the seven year process screaming that you're not going to get tenure. This is no way to win friends and influence people. It's also no way to get a shot at another university opportunity.
He may be a great guy and it may be true that he's being discriminated against, but this isn't the way to go about resolving it.
"Teaching is an afterthought in the process. "
This is true even in fields where there is very little to publish and excellant teaching skills can be a huge benefit to the students.
This is another system that is broken.
The system does not attract the best and brightest as a rule anymore, imho....
"Is this possibly a preemptive strike to cloud the issue because he is not publishing?"
Not in the least. Check out his CV, as well as his list of publications. He is literally being drummed out of the school by Roisman and another kooky superlib, Mary Mitchell.
http://indylaw.indiana.edu/people/profile.cfm?Id=126
This is all about Bradford's politics, and probably to a lesser extent, his gender.
Here's a link to a local column on the matter.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050626/COLUMNISTS02/506260414&SearchID=73212666700884
The liberal professors and administration at the IU School of Law in Indianapolis have a longstanding animosity toward conservatives. Dean Emeritus Norman Lefstein installed every liberal he could find before retiring. When Lefty Lefstein couldn't find another deanship he returned to the law school, trashed his successor, Tony Tarr, then made an unsuccessful bid to move into the deanship.
What really chaps the asses of the professors at IU School of Law is that the conservative professors are held in such high esteem by the students. I know, I received my J.D. from there, and married the son of the most beloved former Dean & Professor that school has known in recent past--and not coincidentally most reviled by his liberal peers. I've had box seats for the blood letting that conservative professors at the IU School of Law get at the hands of the libs.
Professor Bradford is a family friend. He is one of the most impressive people you could ever hope to meet.