Why do Universities Need AAUP Chapters???

We have Presidents, Provosts, Deans and Chairs… RIT has a Faculty Senate, Senators and a million committees… WHY ON EARTH SHOULD WE ADD ANOTHER ORGANIZATION TO THE MIX??

There are a number of reasons to not do it, the major one being pure apathy.

But let’s discuss why the AAUP can be helpful, and why an AAUP chapter can add a new dimension to a university’s environment:

1. The AAUP is a national network, with a NY State Conference, and a regional coalition. Being part of this group gives you a way to participate in local, regional and national conversations.
2. Becoming a Chapter, and a big enough one, allows the dues sharing to come back to your university. This can fund faculty-led initiatives, and provide an avenue of support that is not dependent on whether your Provost (or whomever) is in the mood to fund you.
3. Chapters can get an outside perspective on issues you are dealing with. Is your workload too high? Find out how its done elsewhere. Not feeling well paid? Check out the data AAUP national has collected.
4. Concerned about your rights as pre-tenure faculty or non-tenured faculty or just as a faculty member? Learn about it from your state conference. They have access to actual lawyers and can help you get answers.
5. Did your administration do something that is not okay? Shut down a program, step on your academic freedom? Email the organization, the AAUP will conduct an investigation and actually be an independent reviewer. Universities facing censure can risk accreditation, so they take these things seriously.
6. On a very local level: this is the best way to build community. Higher Education can be a scary and sometimes isolating place. Join the group and find like-minded people!

Considering it? Check out the AAUP Join link here: https://www.aaup.org/join

Update! Here is the list compiled by the NYS AAUP Conference (as shared in our annual conference this year)

* Helps faculty connect with other faculty across campus

* Gives training on AAUP principles of academic freedom, tenure, and shared governance jointly formulated with college and university administrations and widely adopted in US colleges and universities

* Gives training on departmental, college, and university governance on campus and how to get your individual voices and collective voices heard

* Works with the Faculty Senate to influence changes to campus policies and encourages members to run for Faculty Senate

* Provides professional support through mentoring programs for junior faculty and assisting faculty in preparing their promotion case

* Hosts seminars, panels, and town halls on academic freedom, tenure, and shared governance, which can reach faculty, staff, administrators, and future faculty members

* Gives training in Legislative advocacy and advocates at the State Legislature