Association
of
American
University
Professors
HISTORY of AAUP
Events immediately before, during, and after its founding in 1915 helped to set the AAUP on its path as the primary defender of academic freedom in American higher education. Johns Hopkins University philosopher Arthur O. Lovejoy and Columbia University economist E. R. A. Seligman, who had both conducted investigations into violations of academic freedom before the establishment of the AAUP, served as secretary of the Association and chair of its first Committee on Academic Freedom and Academic Tenure, respectively, dedicating themselves to the task of both defining and defending academic freedom throughout the founding year. The two crowning achievements of that year were the first investigation by the Association of a violation of academic freedom, at the University of Utah, and the presentation of the founding document of the AAUP: the 1915 Declaration of Principles on Academic Freedom and Academic Tenure.
The AAUP was founded at an organizational meeting held at the Chemists’ Club in New York City on January 1 and 2, 1915. Seligman’s chairmanship of a committee on academic freedom in the social sciences in 1914, briefly described in the introduction to the 1915 Declaration, was his impetus to propose at that meeting that the Association should take up the issue of academic freedom, which was approved. Lovejoy, who had been the primary force behind the movement to found the Association, famously took the initiative to travel to Utah upon learning in the press of the dismissal of multiple faculty members. A subcommittee consisting of Seligman, Lovejoy, and Princeton University economist Frank A. Fetter wrote the 1915 Declaration, which continues to serve as the intellectual foundation for the American conception of academic freedom to this day. Lovejoy’s service on Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure extended until 1943.
To learn more: https://www.aaup.org/about/history-aaup
TX State Conference of AAUP
As a member of our chapter, you will become a part of a larger community of AAUP members, including part of the TX State Conference of AAUP. TX state AAUP advocates on behalf of the faculty state-wide, and have issued several statements to the state capital on issues ranging from Covid-19 policies on TX campuses, to attacks on freedom speech in higher education. To learn more about TX State conference: aaup-texas.org
Why join our chapter?
If you are involved in teaching or research on any level, including as a Graduate TA/ or GA, we would love to have you.
When you join our chapter you gain a voice, and join a group of people that will stand with you to defend your Academic Freedom. Being a member of an official chapter of a national organization, gives you a voice in the conversations with the administration of our University, and a voice to be included in the decision-making processes. Moreover, you will become a member of the larger AAUP community State-wide - TX State Conference, and Nation-wide - AAUP National.
Additionally you will have the opportunity to meet like-minded colleagues who care about the issues of shared governance and freedom of speech, and a group of colleauges who will stand up to protect your individual rights as a faculty member - regardless of your status or rank at the university.
We meet on a monthly basis to discuss various issues affecting our campus and academia in general. We also like to have fun, and organize social events at least once a semester!
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Upcoming Chapter Meetings
Spring 2023
Monday Feb 13, 2023 11am
Monday April 3, 2023 11am
Monday May 8, 2023 11am
Chapter Events
TTUP AAUP
END OF THE YEAR
PARTY!
END OF THE YEAR
PARTY!
