Guide on Academic Freedom Language in CBAs

The AAUP has published a guidebook on academic freedom language in collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) to assist collec­tive bargaining chapters in protect­ing academic freedom on their campuses. The guidebook analyzes the content of CBA academic freedom provisions and other CBA provisions closely linked to achiev­ing strong and effective protec­tion of academic freedom. These include provisions concerning protections for the full scope of the bargaining unit and enforcement of academic freedom protections in contexts such as reappointment, tenure and promotions, and disci­plinary cases.

The guidebook includes two appendices. The first appendix provides examples of strong CBA language that protects a broad scope of academic freedom for all faculty through effective enforce­ment measures. These examples are provided to illustrate the ways that collective bargaining can strengthen academic freedom, broaden its coverage, and increase effective enforcement of its principles. The second appendix provides a list of AAUP policy statements and AAUP reports that are useful and relevant in crafting CBA provisions that define and help to enforce academic freedom protections.

The guidebook was written by a subcommittee of Committee A on Academic Freedom and Ten­ure, consisting of AAUP general counsel Risa Lieberwitz (Cornell University), Committee A member Jennifer Ruth (Portland State Uni­versity), and AAUP past president Rudy Fichtenbaum (Wright State University). Members can download it here; login required.