American Association of University Professors

American Association of University Professors. The American Association of University Professors is a major professional organization dedicated to advancing academic freedom and shared governance in higher education across the United States. Founded in 1915 by prominent scholars including John Dewey and Arthur O. Lovejoy, it has served as a principal advocate for the professional interests of faculty. The association is widely recognized for its influential policy statements and its role in investigating violations of professional standards at institutions like the University of Michigan and Stanford University.

History

The organization was established in 1915 at a meeting in New York City, largely in response to controversial dismissals of professors at institutions such as the University of Utah and University of Pennsylvania. Its first major action was the 1915 Declaration of Principles on Academic Freedom and Academic Tenure, co-authored by Arthur O. Lovejoy and Edwin R. A. Seligman. This document laid the philosophical groundwork for modern academic tenure in the United States. Throughout the 20th century, it was involved in significant conflicts, including defending faculty during the Red Scare and the McCarthy era, and it played a key role in the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure, jointly formulated with the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Landmark investigations by its Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure have covered cases at UCLA, Rutgers University, and the University of Virginia.

Organization and governance

The national headquarters are located in Washington, D.C., with a structure that includes a biennial meeting of an elected Council and an annual National Meeting. The president, a faculty member serving a limited term, works with a full-time general secretary. Policy is largely set by the elected national Council and developed by standing committees like the aforementioned Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure and Committee W on the Status of Women in the Academic Profession. The organization comprises numerous local chapters at institutions including Ohio State University and University of Texas at Austin, as well as state conferences like the California Conference of the AAUP. Membership is open to faculty, graduate students, and academic professionals.

Activities and positions

Its primary activities include advocating for academic freedom, shared governance, and professional standards. It conducts thorough investigations into alleged violations of these principles, publishing findings in its journal, Academe. The association frequently testifies before bodies like the United States Congress and the National Labor Relations Board on issues affecting higher education. It is a vocal proponent of treating faculty as professionals rather than employees under acts like the National Labor Relations Act. It also engages in collective bargaining, representing faculty unions at institutions such as the University of Oregon and the City University of New York.

Policy statements and reports

The organization is renowned for its authoritative policy documents, which are often developed by specialized committees. The seminal 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure, created with the Association of American Colleges and Universities, remains a cornerstone document. Other influential reports include the 1966 Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities (with the American Council on Education and the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges) and the 1970 Interpretive Comments. It regularly issues reports on specific issues, such as the Policy Documents and Reports (the "Redbook"), and investigative reports on institutions like the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Salem State University.

Impact and criticism

The association has profoundly shaped the modern American university system, with its standards on academic tenure and governance being widely adopted by institutions like Harvard University and the University of Chicago. Its investigations and censure list exert significant moral pressure on administrations. However, it has faced criticism from some trustees and administrators, including those at the University of Nebraska, who argue its policies can impede administrative flexibility. Some conservative groups, such as the National Association of Scholars, have accused it of political bias. Conversely, some within the labor movement, including factions of the American Federation of Teachers, have historically viewed its commitment to collective bargaining as insufficiently robust.

Category:Academic organizations based in the United States Category:Organizations established in 1915 Category:Higher education in the United States