A Foreboding Procrustean Process?

In a previous post, I mentioned that higher education has systematized and regularized applications into a Procrustean bed that seems to excise individuality from the process.

This uniformity is helpful in terms of ensuring that applicants include the same basic materials (this is, apples are compared to apples through official application forms and a narrow range of formats for résumés). I must admit that in my role as dean, where I see applications for positions in 15 departments, it is hard to differentiate among the basic applications for disciplines as diverse as art and physics. Certainly there are portfolios that accompany materials or personal Web sites that include other materials for candidates, but the stacks of paper that are the first level of consideration are surprisingly stark and painfully plain.

This drive toward uniformity at the exclusion of individuality has me wondering about something, though. In our drive to regularize the application process, are we revealing anything about our larger culture in academe? Are we sending a subtle message that nonconformity will not be tolerated? What does that say about tenure, which ultimately results from this process?