TheAmerican Association of University Professors(AAUP) is anorganizationofprofessorsand other academics in theUnited States.AAUP membership includes over 500 local campus chapters and 39 state organizations.[1]
 | |
| Formation | 1915 |
|---|---|
| Type | Nonprofitcharitable organization |
| Headquarters | Washington D.C. |
| Location | |
Membership | Professors and professional university staff |
Official language | English |
Executive Director | Nancy Long (interim) |
Key people | Todd Wolfson, President |
| Website | www |
The AAUP's stated mission is to advanceacademic freedomand shared governance, to define fundamental professional values and standards forhigher education,and to ensure higher education's contribution to thecommon good.Founded in 1915 byArthur O. LovejoyandJohn Dewey,the AAUP has helped to shape American higher education by developing the standards and procedures that maintain quality in education and academic freedom in the country'scollegesanduniversities.
History
editIn the 1890s and early 1900s, there were a number of attempts to dismiss college faculty members from their academic posts, including a failed attempt to dismissRichard Elyat theUniversity of Wisconsinin 1894. The following yearEdward Bemiswas dismissed from a post at theUniversity of ChicagoandGeorge D. Herronfrom one atGrinnell Collegein 1899.
Perhaps most prominent of these incidents was the 1900 dismissal ofeugenicist,economics professor, and sociologistEdward Alsworth RossfromStanford University.Ross's work criticizing the employment of Chinese laborers by theSouthern Pacific Railroad,run by Stanford's founderLeland Stanford,led Leland's widow,Jane Stanford,to intervene and, over the objections of the president and the faculty, to succeed in getting Ross eventually dismissed.[2]A number of faculty colleagues resigned in protest, includingArthur O. Lovejoy.[3]
Fifteen years later, In January 1915, the AAUP formed as the "Association of University Professors" after a series of meetings held at theChemists' Clubin New York City.[4]John Deweywould serve as President of the organization, with Lovejoy, who had by then moved on toJohns Hopkins,serving as Secretary.
In February 1915, the dismissals of two professors and two instructors at theUniversity of Utahby PresidentJoseph T. Kingsbury—and the subsequent resignations of 14 faculty members in protest—launched the AAUP's first institutional academic freedom inquest. An earlier1911 controversyatBrigham Young Universityin Provo, Utah, had involved some of these same professors.
The AAUP published, in December 1915, its inaugural volume of theBulletin of the American Association of University Professors,including the document now known as the1915 Declaration of Principles on Academic Freedom and Academic Tenure—the AAUP's foundational statement on the rights and corresponding obligations of members of the academic profession.
Since 2010 the AAUP has published theJournal of Academic Freedom,an online-only open-access annual journal.[5][6]
In June 2022, the AAUP affiliated with theAmerican Federation of Teachers.[7]
In 2024, AAUP president Todd Wolfson referred to United States SenatorJD Vanceas a “fascist.”The remark was in relation to Vance’s conduct during that year'spresidential election,during which Vance was the vice presidential nominee.[8]
Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure
edit
As the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) details the history of their policy onacademic freedomandtenure,the association maintains that there "are still people who want to control what professors teach and write."[9]The AAUP's "Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure"[10][11]is the definitive articulation of the principles and practices and is widely accepted throughout the academic community. The association's procedures ensuring academic due process remain the model for professional employment practices on campuses throughout the country.
The association suggests that "The principles of Academic Freedom and Tenure" date back to a 1925 conference.[12]R. M. O'Neil's history suggests that the formal origins of the statement of academic freedom in the United States begins with an earlier 1915 "declaration of principles," when the "fledgling" AAUP first convened.[13]
While it seems common sense that academic freedom aligns with the values of democratic rights and free speech, O'Neil also notes the ideas of academic freedom at the time were not entirely well received, and even theNew York Timescriticized the declaration, but that today the statement remains "almost as nearly inviolate as the U.S. Constitution."[13]The AAUP notes that following a series of conferences beginning in 1934, the association officially adopted the "1925 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure," which started to become institutionalized in universities only in the 1940s.
The AAUP offers the original principles, including the 1940 interpretations of the statement and a 1970 interpretation, which codified evaluation of the principles since the time they were adopted. The statement is straightforward, based on three principles of academic freedom. Briefly summarized, the first principle states that teachers are entitled to "full freedom in research and in publication of the results" and that the issue of financial gains from research depends on the relationship with the institution. The second principle of academic freedom is that teachers should have the same freedom in the classroom. The third asserts that college and university professors are citizens and should be free to speak and write as citizens "free from institutional censorship."[14]
The 1970 interpretation believes that the statement is not a "static code but a fundamental document to set a framework of norms to guide adaptations to changing times and circumstances." The commentary iterates key points of the 1940 interpretations. The statement does not discourage controversy but emphasizes professionalism, believing that professors should be careful "not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to their subject."
Based upon five principles, the statement on academic tenure is equally simple and to the point. The first principle maintains that the terms of appointment are to be stated in writing. The second details the conditions and length of time professors are given to attain tenure. The third notes that during the probationary period before attaining tenure, the teacher "should have all the academic freedom that all other members of the faculty have." Detailing terms for appeal of the decision to deny tenure, the fourth point notes that both faculty and the institution's governing board should judge whether tenure is to be granted or denied. The final point suggests that if the faculty member is not granted tenure appointment for reasons of financial restraint upon the university, the "financial exigency should be demonstrably bona fide."
The interpretive statement also maintains that while professors have the rights of citizens, both scholars and educational officers "should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances," noting that every effort should be made "to indicate they are not speaking for the institution." The comments provide for further insights into the evaluation for tenure appointment and direct to the "1968 Recommended Institutional Regulations on Academic Freedom and Tenure," which recommends policy based upon the 1940 statement and a later documents on standards for faculty dismissal.
Academic freedom and the Supreme Court
editInSweezy v. New Hampshire(1957), the Supreme Court of the United States acknowledged the essential role of academic freedom as a protected right under theFirst Amendment.This case set a precedent that significantly influenced university policies across the United States, affirming the importance of academic discourse and inquiry without governmental interference. However, "at the time of the Sweezy decision, the AAUP was deeply ambivalent about the constitutionalization of academic freedom, because some members feared the long-term consequences of having judges rather than professors elaborate and apply the protective rules of academic life."[15]
InKeyishian v. Board of Regents(1967), the constitutionality and legal basis for AAUP's principles of academic freedom were established.
Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities
editThe American Association of University Professors published its first "Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities" in 1920, "emphasizing the importance of faculty involvement in personnel decisions, selection of administrators, preparation of the budget, and determination of educational policies. Refinements to the statement were introduced in subsequent years, culminating in the 1966" Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities. "[16]
The statement was jointly formulated by the American Association of University Professors, theAmerican Council on Education(ACE), and theAssociation of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges(AGB). The statement clarifies the respective roles of governing boards, faculties, and administrations. The document does not provide for a "blueprint" to thegovernanceofhigher education.
Also, the purpose of the statement was not to provide principles for relations with industry and government although it establishes direction on "the correction of existing weaknesses." Rather, the statement aimed to establish a shared vision for the internal governance of institutions. Student involvement is not addressed in detail. The statement concerns general education policy and internal operations with an overview of the formal roles for governing structures in the organization and management of higher education.
Conflict with religious institutions
editThe AAUP has censured numerous religious institutions, includingThe Catholic University of Americain 1990 andBrigham Young Universityin 1998.[17]Some have criticized the AAUP's stance regarding academic freedom in religious institutions as contradicting its 1940 statement on academic freedom, which permits religious institutions to place limits on academic freedom if those limitations are clearly stated.[18][19]In 1970, the AAUP criticized its 1940 statement, positing that most religious institutions "no longer need or desire" to place limits on academic freedom.[20]
In 1988, the AAUP offered up another interpretation, stating that the "1970 de-endorsement clause" requires a religious institution to forfeit its "right to represent itself as an 'authentic seat of higher learning.'"[20]But the AAUP's Committee A did not endorse it, thus the issue on whether a religious institution can place limits on academic freedom if those limitations are clearly stated appears to be unresolved.[20]
Contingent faculty
editThe AAUP has released a number of reports oncontingent faculty:in 2008, a report on accreditors' guidelines pertaining to part-time faculty and a report of an investigation involving alleged violations of the academic freedom and due process rights of a full-time contingent faculty member; and in 2006, an index providing data on the number of contingent faculty at various colleges. Also in 2006, the AAUP adopted a new policy dealing with the job protections that should be afforded to part-time faculty members. In 2003, it had released its major policy statement Contingent Appointments and the Academic Profession. The statement makes new recommendations in two areas: increasing the proportion of faculty appointments that are on the tenure line as well as improving job security and due process protections for those with contingent appointments.
Collective bargaining
editIn 2009, AAUP began its reorganization amongst its thinktank, its non-organized advocacy chapters and its support for collective bargaining chapters. AAUP currently represents approximately 70 affiliates across the United States in such institutions asUniversity of Connecticut,Portland State University,University of Alaska,theCalifornia State University system,Rutgers,University of Oregon,Eastern Michigan University,University of Illinois Chicago,University of Rhode Island,State University of New York,and many others in both the public and private sector.
Unlike the American Federation of Teachers and other more traditional labor unions, AAUP is not a servicing parent organization. All of its affiliates (at least those that are not affiliated with any otherlabor union) are independent organizations that completely provide for all their own services, such as staff, attorneys, consultants and organizers. Also, the AAUP does not have the power of receivership in its constitution and so it can not take over any of its affiliates, supplant any of its elected leaders, or dictate policy or bargaining proposals or agenda upon them.
Several university chapters have been involved inlabor strikes,including atBoston Universityin 1979,Wright State UniversityandOregon Techin 2021, andRutgers Universityin 2023.
Censured and sanctioned institutions
editThe AAUP censures institutions that violated standards of academic freedom and tenure[21]and sanctions institutions that have infringed university governance standards through "serious departures by the administration and/or governing board from generally accepted standards of college and university government".
In 1930, theUniversity of Mississippi,Mississippi State UniversityandMississippi University for Women,were placed on a list of "non-recommended" institutions, after Mississippi GovernorTheodore Bilboand member of theKu Klux Klanfired the presidents of all three institutions as well as 179 faculty members.
The censure list was officially created in 1938. Between that year and 2002, 183 colleges and universities were placed on the list at various times.[22]As of 2024, there are 59 institutions on AAUP's censure list.[23]
Fourteen colleges in the United States are currently on AAUP's list of sanctioned institutions for violations of shared governance.[24]
| Community colleges | Colleges and universities | Graduate schools |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Dade College(2000)[25] | Elmira College(1995)[25] | Vermont Law and Graduate School(2019)[26] |
| Union College(2016)[27] | Antioch University(2010)[25] | |
| Spartanburg Community College(2024)[28] | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute(2011)[29] | |
| Canisius University(2021)[30][31] | ||
| Keuka College(2021)[30] | ||
| Marian University,Wisconsin (2021)[30] | ||
| National University(2021)[30] | ||
| Wittenberg University(2021)[30] | ||
| Illinois Wesleyan University(2021)[30] | ||
| New College of Florida(2024)[28] |
Leadership
editPresidents
edit| Number | Name | Dates | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Dewey | 1915–1916[32] | Philosophy | Columbia University |
| 2 | John Henry Wigmore | 1916–1917[32] | Law | Northwestern University |
| 3 | Frank Thilly | 1917–1918 | Philosophy | Cornell University[33] |
| 4 | John Merle Coulter | 1918–1919 | Botany | University of Chicago |
| 5 | Arthur Oncken Lovejoy | 1919–1920 | Philosophy | Johns Hopkins University |
| 6 | Edward Capps | 1920–1921 | Philology | Princeton University |
| 7 | Vernon Lyman Kellogg | 1921 (acting) | Zoology | National Research Council |
| 8 | Edwin R. A. Seligman | 1921–1922 | Political Science | Columbia University |
| 9 | J. V. Denney | 1922–1924 | English | Ohio State University[34] |
| 10 | Armin Otto Leuschner | 1924–1926 | Astronomy | University of California, Berkeley |
| 11 | William T. Semple | 1926–1928 | Classics | University of Cincinnati[35] |
| 12 | Henry Crew | 1928–1930 | Physics | Northwestern University |
| 13 | William B. Munro | 1930–1932 | Government | Harvard University |
| 14 | Walter Wheeler Cook | 1932–1933 | Law | Johns Hopkins University[36] |
| 15 | Samuel Alfred Mitchell | 1934–1936 | Astronomy | University of Virginia |
| 16 | Anton Julius Carlson | 1936–1938 | Physiology | University of Chicago |
| 17 | Mark H. Ingraham | 1938–1940 | Mathematics | University of Wisconsin[37] |
| 18 | Frederick S. Deibler | 1940–1942 | Economics | Northwestern University |
| 19 | William Thomas Laprade | 1942–1944 | History | Duke University[38] |
| 20 | Quincy Wright | 1944–1946 | International Law | University of Chicago |
| 21 | Edward C. Kirkland | 1946–1948 | History | Bowdoin College |
| 22 | Ralph H. Lutz | 1948–1950 | History | Stanford University |
| 23 | Richard Harrison Shryock | 1950–1952 | History | Johns Hopkins University |
| 24 | Fred B. Millett | 1952–1954 | English Literature | Wesleyan University |
| 25 | William E. Britton | 1954–1956 | Law | University of Illinois |
| 26 | Helen C. White | 1956–1958 | English | University of Wisconsin |
| 27 | Hiram Bentley Glass | 1958–1960 | Biology | Johns Hopkins University |
| 28 | Ralph F. Fuchs | 1960–1962 | Law | Indiana University |
| 29 | Fritz Machlup | 1962–1964 | Economics | Princeton University |
| 30 | David Fellman | 1964–1966 | Political Science | University of Wisconsin |
| 31 | Clark Byse | 1966–1968 | Law | Harvard University |
| 32 | Ralph S. Brown, Jr. | 1968–1970 | Law | Yale University |
| 33 | Sanford H. Kadish | 1970–1972 | Law | University of California, Berkeley |
| 34 | Walter Adams | 1972–1974 | Economics | Michigan State University |
| 35 | William Warner Van Alstyne | 1974–1976 | Law | Duke University |
| 36 | Peter O. Steiner | 1976–1978 | Law and Economics | University of Michigan |
| 37 | Martha Friedman | 1978–1980 | Library | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
| 38 | Henry T. Yost | 1980–1981 | Biology | Amherst College |
| 39 | Robert A. Gorman | 1981–1982 | Law | University of Pennsylvania |
| 40 | Victor J. Stone | 1982–1984 | Law | University of Illinois, Urbana |
| 41 | Paul H. L. Walter | 1984–1986 | Chemistry | Skidmore College |
| 42 | Julius G. Getman | 1986–1988 | Law | University of Texas at Austin |
| 43 | Carol Simpson Stern | 1988–1990 | Performance Studies | Northwestern University |
| 44 | Barbara Bergmann | 1990–1992 | Economics | American University |
| 45 | Linda Ray Pratt | 1992–1994 | English | University of Nebraska |
| 46 | James Perley | 1994–1998 | Biology | College of Wooster |
| 47 | James Richardson | 1998–2000 | Judicial Studies | University of Nevada, Reno |
| 48 | Jane Buck | 2000–2006 | Psychology | Delaware State University |
| 49 | Cary Nelson | 2006–2012 | English | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign |
| 50 | Rudy Fichtenbaum | 2012–2020 | Economics | Wright State University |
| 51 | Irene Mulvey | 2020–2024 | Mathematics | Fairfield University |
| 52 | Todd Wolfson | 2024–Present | Media Studies | Rutgers University–New Brunswick[39] |
Secretaries, general secretaries, and executive directors
editApart from the elected leadership, the AAUP has been led in its day to day operations by what has been at various times called a secretary, later a general secretary, and most recently an executive director, and includes the following individuals:[40]
| Name | Dates | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur Oncken Lovejoy | 1915–1929[41] | Secretary |
| Harry Walter Tyler | 1929–1933[41] | General Secretary |
| Walter Wheeler Cook | 1934–1935 | General Secretary |
| Harry Walter Tyler | 1935–1936 | Acting General Secretary |
| Ralph Himstead | 1936–1955 | General Secretary |
| George P. Shannon | 1955 | Acting General Secretary |
| Ralph F. Fuchs | 1955–1957[42][43] | General Secretary |
| Robert K. Carr | 1957–1958 | General Secretary |
| William P. Fidler | 1958–1967 | General Secretary |
| Bertram H. Davis | 1967–1974 | General Secretary |
| Joseph Duffey | 1974–1976 | General Secretary |
| Jordan E. Kurland | 1977 | Acting General Secretary |
| Morton S. Baratz | 1977–1979 | General Secretary |
| Martha Friedman | 1979–1980 | Interim General Secretary |
| Irving J. Spitzberg, Jr. | 1980–1984 | General Secretary |
| Ernst Benjamin | 1984–1994 | General Secretary |
| Mary A. Burgan | 1994–2004 | General Secretary |
| Roger W. Bowen | 2004–2007 | General Secretary |
| Ernst Benjamin | 2007–2008 | Interim General Secretary |
| Gary Rhoades | 2009–2011 | General Secretary |
| Martin Snyder | 2011–2013 | Senior Associate General Secretary |
| Julie Schmid | 2013–2023 | Executive Director |
| Nancy Long | 2023–2024 | Interim Executive Director |
| Aaron Nielson | 2024–present | Interim Executive Director[44] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Mission – AAUP".aaup.org.August 19, 2006.
- ^"History of the AAUP".American Association of University Professors. June 30, 2006.RetrievedMay 23,2018.
- ^"History of Stanford's Philosophy Department | Department of Philosophy".philosophy.stanford.edu.RetrievedOctober 28,2023.
- ^"History of the AAUP".AAUP.June 30, 2006.RetrievedOctober 28,2023.
- ^Howard, Jennifer (January 26, 2010)."New Online Journal From AAUP Will Focus on Academic Freedom".The Chronicle of Higher Education.RetrievedMarch 25,2022.
- ^"Journal of Academic Freedom".AAUP.January 22, 2010.RetrievedMarch 25,2022.
- ^"Historic affiliation finalized: AAUP and AFT join forces | American Federation of Teachers".aft.org.June 22, 2022.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
- ^Ryan Quinn (August 9, 2024)."New AAUP president calls JD Vance a fascist".Inside Higher Ed.
- ^"History of the AAUP – AAUP".aaup.org.June 30, 2006.
- ^"1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure – AAUP".aaup.org.July 10, 2006.
- ^"AAUP's 1915 Declaration of Principles".December 31, 1915.
- ^"Timeline of the First 100 Years | AAUP".aaup.org.February 12, 2015.RetrievedMay 23,2018.
- ^abO'Neil, R. M., "Academic Freedom: Past, Present, and Future beyond September 11," in P.G. Altbach, R.O. Berdahl, and P.J. Gumport, (eds.),American Higher Education in the Twenty-First Century: Social, Political, and Economic Challenges,2nd ed. (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005), 92–94
- ^"1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure – AAUP".aaup.org.July 10, 2006.
- ^Byrne, J. Peter (November 1, 1989)."Academic Freedom: A 'Special Concern of the First Amendment'".The Yale Law Journal.99(2): 291.
- ^"Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities."[permanent dead link]
- ^"Censure List – AAUP".aaup.org.July 18, 2006.
- ^"BYU Magazine: The Magazine of Brigham Young University".BYU Magazine.
- ^Nuechterlein, James (December 1993)."The Idol of Academic Freedom".First Things.38:12–16.ISSN1047-5141.
- ^abcThe Value of LimitationsArchivedMay 17, 2011, at theWayback Machine
- ^"Censure List".AAUP.July 18, 2006.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
- ^"The AAUP's Censure List".AAUP.July 18, 2013.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
- ^"Censure List".AAUP.July 18, 2006.RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
- ^"Sanctioned Institutions".AAUP.RetrievedNovember 1,2024.
- ^abcChiddister, Diane (June 17, 2010)."AAUP: college closing not necessary".The Yellow Springs News.RetrievedNovember 1,2024.
- ^"VLS Response to AAUP Sanction".Vermont Law and Graduate School.RetrievedNovember 1,2024.
- ^"Union County College Slammed With Sanction by AAUP".American Federation of Teachers New Jersey.June 26, 2016.RetrievedNovember 1,2024.
- ^abQuinn, Ryan (February 26, 2024)."AAUP Sanctions New College of Fla., Spartanburg Comm. College".Inside Higher Ed.RetrievedNovember 1,2024.
- ^June, Audrey Williams (June 12, 2011)."AAUP Sanctions 2 Universities and Censures Another".RetrievedNovember 1,2024.
- ^abcdefSchwartz, Natalie (June 10, 2021)."AAUP council sanctions 6 colleges over governance violations".Higher Ed Dive.RetrievedNovember 1,2024.
- ^"AAUP Recap".The Griffin.Buffalo, New York. September 20, 2021.RetrievedNovember 1,2024.
- ^ab"Presidents of the Association".AAUP.September 3, 2008.RetrievedAugust 13,2024.
- ^"Frank Thilly, Professor of Philosophy".
- ^"Denney Hall | Buckeye Stroll".RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^"History of the Department".classics.uc.edu.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^"Walter Wheeler Cook: In Memoriam".
- ^"Ingraham Hall - UWDC - UW-Madison Libraries".search.library.wisc.edu.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^"William Thomas Laprade papers, 1660-1975 (bulk 1898-1975) - Archives & Manuscripts at Duke University Libraries".David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^"Todd Wolfson".School of Communication and Information | Rutgers University.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^"Staff Leadership".AAUP.September 9, 2008.RetrievedOctober 28,2023.
- ^ab"The AAUP's Censure List".AAUP.July 18, 2013.RetrievedOctober 28,2023.
- ^"Ralph F. Fuchs Professor of Law and Public Service: Faculty legacies: Support Indiana Law: Alumni: Maurer School of Law: Indiana University Bloomington".Maurer School of Law.RetrievedOctober 28,2023.
- ^Fuchs, Ralph F. (1957)."Report, 1955-57, by the Retiring General Secretary".AAUP Bulletin.43(3): 415–429.ISSN0001-026X.JSTOR40222196.
- ^"Staff".AAUP.July 18, 2006.RetrievedSeptember 13,2024.