Summer Institute Offers Skills, Networking, and Fun

About two hundred faculty members and other higher education professionals gathered at Roosevelt University in Chicago from July 26 to 29 for the AAUP’s Summer Institute, cosponsored by the AAUP’s Collective Bargaining Congress and Assembly of State Conferences. The event is geared toward both unionized and nonunionized faculty activists at all types of institutions. Offerings included workshops on effective shared governance, faculty handbooks, organizing, communications, government relations, advocacy, and contract negotiations, plus a three-part series on how to conduct a financial analysis of your institution.

John McNay of the University of Cincinnati attended the annual event for the first time this year. “My first Summer Institute was a valuable experience,” McNay said. “Not only was it an opportunity to learn from knowledgeable faculty but it was also great to share ideas and some good times with faculty from all over the country.”

In addition to workshops, the institute featured social events— including a labor history tour of Chicago and a performance by the acclaimed comedy group Second City—as well as opportunities for casual networking. Regina Psaki of the University of Oregon said, “At the Summer Institute I found just what I needed, in the right balance: information and context, principles and practical applications, the experience of colleagues and AAUP staff from all over the country, and inspiration—lots of inspiration.”