For a dozen years, he's managed to juggle careers as a legislator and a law professor. But if Tom Campbell wins his uphill battle for the U.S. Senate this fall, he has agreed to give up his tenured post, which he's held since 1983.
A Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Campbell is running against incumbent Democrat Dianne Feinstein, '55. A self-described fiscal conservative who believes in compassionate social policy, he has put in nine years as a member of Congress from California's 15th district, a stint interrupted by a term in the state senate. Through all that, Campbell has been on partial leave from Stanford, continuing to teach at least one course a year. (Full-time professors usually teach three.) This spring, the antitrust, economics and international law scholar taught European Union Law.
Under an agreement Campbell reached with former law dean Paul Brest, his leave will expire in January. Until now, Campbell has benefited from the University's willingness to be flexible for faculty who hold government posts. While Stanford's guidelines say that faculty may not take leaves other than sabbaticals that exceed 24 months in a seven-year period, the University often makes exceptions for public servants like Condoleezza Rice and George Shultz, according to Kathryn Gillam, senior associate provost for faculty affairs and foundation relations. "Many schools, such as Harvard, have a two-year limit even if you are Henry Kissinger," says Law School dean Kathleen Sullivan.
Campbell's taking the prospect of departure in stride. "I have been fairly treated," he says. "Stanford has been fair and understanding."
