For much of the 20^th century, the majority of higher education faculty were hired on the tenure track, making them eligible to receive full rights and privileges associated with receiving tenure. Many institutions used tenure as a recruitment tool to attract and retain the best and brightest faculty and students. However, since 2001, according to the article “The morphing of the American academic profession” by Martin Finkelstein, only about one quarter of new faculty appointments have been full-time, tenure-track positions (2003). In fact, in the 21^st century, nontenure-track faculty appointments have become increasingly common on college and university campuses. Even when the job is technically a tenure-track position, according to American Association of University Professors’ policy statement “Contingent appointments and the academic profession,” many colleges and universities are reluctant to offer tenured or tenure-track positions; instead, they offer nonrenewable yearly contracts, or adjunct contracts without benefits, higher salaries, accelerated leave, or other financial considerations (2003). This study analyzed and reflected upon the values that motivate faculty at four public historically Black universities in North Carolina to relinquish or decline tenure. Utilization of a mixed methods design, Schwartz’s value theory, and his (1994) revised value survey, provided the foundation for investigating this phenomenon beyond higher education’s usual empirical studies of tenure based solely on teaching, research, and service. The results of this study will increase academia’s understanding of what faculty value in their tenure roles, and they will provide information useful in the development of policies and practices that protect the academic freedom of all scholars, with or without tenure.