The issue for hiring in higher ed must also be looked at through the lens of demand. Many colleges face shortfalls of students now that population is going down and high schools are not able to educate most students at college-ready levels. About 70% of colleges were undersubscribed. CC folks see “all” colleges as competitive because most colleges that CC folks care about are the same few. The vast majority of colleges do not have enough students. Many are facing closing down entirely.
In that context, the issue is not tenure it’s how to keep the doors open. Humanities are in less demand than STEM programs, I’d venture (someone pls get me stats STAT!) which may account for why some schools are closing them down. They are prob a net drain on the budget.