Academic Freedom
Academic freedom is indispensable for quality institutions of higher education. As the AAUP's core policy document states, "institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good and not to further the interest of either the individual teacher or the institution as a whole. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition."
Shared Governance
Governance of higher education institutions traditionally has been a responsibility shared by faculty, administrators, and trustees. The AAUP works to ensure meaningful participation by faculty members in decision-making on college and university campuses.
Unionism
By encouraging the formation of new collective bargaining chapters, strengthening existing chapters, and empowering advocacy chapters to "act like unions" the AAUP helps faculty members to advance professional standards, secure legally binding protections, and improve working conditions.
Political Attacks on Higher Education
The Trump administration and many state governments are accelerating attacks on academic freedom, shared governance, and higher education as a public good. We are working with our chapters and with allies in higher ed and the labor movement to defend and advance our vision: Higher education that is accessible and affordable for all who want it. Freedom to teach, to learn, to conduct research, to speak out on issues of the day, and to assemble in the organizations of our choice. Colleges and universities that create opportunity for students, workers, and communities.
Financial Crisis
The AAUP has developed responses to frequently-asked questions about the challenges faculty members and their institutions face in times of financial stress and crisis—and about how AAUP chapters can respond to such challenges.
Social Justice
The AAUP is committed to advocating for diversity in higher education; opposing political interference with diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on college and university campuses; fighting systemic racism and other forms of discrimination; and pursuing racial and gender equity.
Teaching and Research
In their roles as teachers and researchers, faculty members are at the heart of the US higher education system. The AAUP supports faculty members by addressing threats to the integrity and independence of academic work and to intellectual property.
Campus Protests
The AAUP defends the right to free speech, expression of political convictions, and peaceful protest on university campuses. Our colleges and universities are places of inquiry, and debate. Even when campus constituents disagree, the goal should be to foster communication, learning, and understanding. The critical evaluation of different points of view and the questioning of even the most deeply held beliefs are essential to education.
Faculty Employment
The AAUP offers a wide range of resources about the employment and compensation of faculty members in tenured, tenure-track, and contingent positions across the country.