AAUP
American Association of University Professors
Oregon State University Chapter
American
Association of University Professors
The AAUP is the only national organization exclusively representing the
interests of all college and university faculty members. Founded in 1915,
the AAUP:
establishes and maintains standards for academic due process and faculty participation in academic decision making
participates in precedent setting court cases involving academic freedom and tenure issues
represents faculty interests in state and federal legislatures
provides comprehensive data on the economic status of the profession
offers professional liability insurance and other membership benefits and services
Active
AAUP membership is open to teaching faculty, research scholars, professional
librarians, or counselors with faculty status. Membership categories also
include Active entrant, a reduced dues membership offered to non tenured
faculty for up to seven years; Active part-time, Graduate Student, and
Public member.
The American Association of University Professors has members at more
than 2000 institutions with local chapters at 960 campuses and 33 state
conferences which unite chapter organizations on a state wide basis.
Academic Freedom and Tenure
The 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom , jointly authored
by AAUP and the Association of American Colleges, is the definitive interpretation
of academic freedom and is the model for all subsequent policies and standards.
Thousands of faculty members call the AAUP each year for advice and help
about academic freedom and tenure issues. AAUP responds to academic freedom
violations by assisting faculty members to obtain due process through
mediation and consultation. Grave violations may result in on site investigations
and censure of the administration. Investigative reports are published
in the AAUP journal Academe thereby informing the academic community of
departures from sound practices. AAUP's amicus briefs before the Supreme
Court and appelate courts on issues concerning academic freedom safeguard
academic practices and advance the court's understanding of academic principles.
AAUP's Academic Freedom Fund and its Legal Defense Fund provide financial
support in selected cases that raise significant academic freedom issues.
Government Relations
AAUP is an authoritative voice in Washington and state capitals on higher
education issues at a time when government decisions greatly influence
what happens on campus. AAUP monitors legislation and provides expert
testimony from a faculty perspective. When mandatory retirement was abolished
in 1986, AAUP was designated by Congress as a member of the Research committee
to determine the effect of uncapping on higher education.
Faculty Salary Data and Analysis
AAUP's Annual Report on the Economic Status of the Profession is a comprehensive
analysis of faculty salaries and fringe benefits. Over 2100 individual
institutions are listed by category, with compensation for faculty rank
and gender. AAUP members receive the report as a special issue of our
journal Academe .
AAUP's Higher Education Salary Evaluation Kit provides guidance in assessing
equity in faculty compensation. It also includes comparison group salary
reports specific to different types of institutions.
Collective Bargaining
AAUP supports faculty collective bargaining at the option of local chapters
as an additional means for advancing professional standards. AAUP chapters
negotiate independently, subject to the same standards as non bargaining
campuses. Chapter contracts are designed to insure academic freedom and
tenure, advance economic and professional interests, and promote collegial
governance.
Special Projects
The AAUP initiates special projects concerning faculty and the academic
profession. Recent projects include:
guidelines for pension and insurance plans and participation in the revision
of TIAA-CREF policies
retaining tenure without mandatory retirement
the role of faculty in the assessment movement and curricular changes
examination of academic freedom in church related institutions
