The American Association of University Professors was launched in January
1915 in response to the clear need for a nationwide organization that
could represent all faculty, not just those of a particular discipline.
From the outset its purpose was to establish a framework that would guarantee
academic freedom. From that initial meeting came the 1915 Declaration
of Principles on Academic Freedom and Academic Tenure which explained
the necessity of a system of tenure to guarantee freedom of inquiry and
expression in academic life.
In April 2009, in the face of a major economic downturn with serious educational
and institutional consequences, a group of WSU faculty reestablished
an advocacy chapter of AAUP on the Pullman campus. We invite all current
and former WSU faculty, librarians, postdocs and graduate students to
join us in trying to uphold the traditions of academic freedom and shared
governance.
Each AAUP chapter establishes a local Committee A which provides advice and assistance to faculty members at its institution about disputes concerning academic freedom, tenure, promotion, or other terms or conditions of employment. The WSU-AAUP board of officers serves as our Committee A.
While WSU-AAUP does not provide legal assistance, we can, on request, provide a list of local attorneys who work in the area of employment rights. Please click here for further information about legal assistance.
The WSU-AAUP bylaws are available on-line here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- The next general meeting of the WSU chapter of the AAUP will be held in the Bundy Reading Room in Avery Hall from 12:00-1:15 on Thursday, 3 February. Everyone is welcome!
- The WSU-AAUP blog invites everyone in the WSU community to submit a posting to it on the topic of the possible unionization of faculty at WSU. Should we unionize? If we should, under whose umbrella? What issues should play a role in the discussion? If you want to post an argument, an editorial, or any other discussion on this topic, please send it to wsu.aaup@gmail.com.
We begin this discussion with a reprint of Prof. David Demers' editorial (Daily Evergreen, 20 January 2011) advocating faculty unionization.
- GENERAL MEETING
When: 4:30, Thursday, 8 September
Where: Bunding Reading Room, Avery Hall, Pullman Campus
Agenda:- Election of officers for WSU-AAUP. Nominations and self-nominations for positions including president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and members-at-large should be sent directly to Elizabeth Siler at elizabethsiler@gmail.com by September 7 at 5 p.m.
- Budget cut related matters
- Issues related to shared governance/informed faculty participation/ budget transparency
- Revision of the faculty manual section on curriculum (a faculty responsibility)
- Issues related to possible unauthorized changes to Faculty Senate bylaws
- President Floyd's response to Judy Meuth's letter is available here.
- Judy Meuth, president of the WSU chapter of the AAUP, sent a letter to President Floyd and Provost Bayly on 25 August 2011 on behalf of the chapter seeking specific financial information about the university and the proposed changes and seeking a commitment to not further reduce the proportion of our funds devoted to instruction. The letter is linked here.
- Gregory Hooks (professor and chair, sociology) distributed a report on the budget/financial status of the university to the president, provost and members of the Faculty Senate committee on the budget. We strongly recommend that everyone interested in the future (and immediate past) of Washington State University, not just budget issues, should read the report (linked here).