The American Association of University Professors
What is the AAUP?
The mission of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is to advance academic freedom and shared governance; to define fundamental professional values and standards for higher education; to promote the economic security of faculty, academic professionals, graduate students, post‐doctoral fellows, and all those engaged in teaching and research in higher education; to help the higher education community organize to make our goals a reality; and to ensure higher education’s contribution to the common good. Founded in 1915, the AAUP has helped to shape American higher education by developing the standards and procedures that maintain quality in education and academic freedom in this country’s colleges and universities.
Academic freedom and shared governance are central to the AAUP’s work/concerns/purpose. While the AAUP is faculty-centered, the organization is deeply engaged in bringing all voices of the campus community to questions of equity as they pertain to the university’s mandate as an institution committed to fully “supporting faculty, staff, and student collaboration in creative activity and research that address emerging opportunities and societal needs”.
. . . . (to ensure the university upholds its commitment to support faculty, staff and student success, preparing engaged citizens and scholars in a community centered on access and full, participatory engagement for all parties.
How do I join?
You may join easily through the national website (https://www.aaup.org/membership/join). Please check Syracuse as your chapter and let our treasurer, Gail Hamner, know you’ve joined:mghamner@syr.edu
If you prefer to have the annual dues deducted from your S.U. paycheck, email Gail for the payroll deduction form.
Why should I join SU-AAUP?
Achieving our goals of protecting academic freedom and securing shared governance is work most effectively undertaken both collectively and independently of administration, especially at times when faculty and administrative interests diverge. Unlike working groups appointed by administration, or institutional bodies with administrative membership and oversight, AAUP serves independently to gather faculty voices together and strengthen them into faculty influence in making the decisions that affect our professional lives.
Is AAUP a Union?
While at some institutions AAUP chapters are hybrid union locals or constituents of campus-wide union organizations that are recognized collective bargaining agents, others function more like interest groups with no legal collective bargaining recognition. At SU, our chapter is not a collective bargaining agent and would only become so at the behest of a majority of our members.
What is the difference between AAUP and the University Senate?
There are two chief differences between AAUP and the University Senate. The first is a difference in constituencies, with the Senate made up of representatives of administration, faculty, staff, and students and the AAUP representing faculty only, working in solidarity with Part-Time and Graduate Instructors. The second, related, difference is that AAUP works and deliberates independently of administration.
- Sign up through National AAUP Website (https://www.aaup.org/membership/join). Please declare Syracuse as your chapter and let our treasurer, Gail Hamner, know you’ve joined: mghamner@syr.edu.
- Sign up for S.U. payroll deduction (email our Treasurer, Gail Hamner, for the payroll deduction form at mghamner@syr.edu)
We encourage you to check out SU-AAUP activities and communications at our Chapter Website. (edited)
SU AAUP 