Brief History and Objectives of AAUP

The AAUP's first president in 1915 was John Dewey who believed in an active, "working" association dedicated to the fundamental principles and values of academe. This included the staunch defense of academic freedom, professional standards and faculty interests at the local level. These traditions still anchor the core of AAUP's mission today.

AAUP strongly believes in faculty governance and is committed to a strong faculty senate. A strong AAUP chapter can empower a faculty senate by developing an organized constituency. The local chapter can enhance faculty senate resolutions by organizing a unified constituency behind them.

We are committed to high professional standards and faculty interests so that the ultimate University mission of educating students is facilitated through the creation of a campus environment in which students and teachers learn together as members of what Paul Goodman called "a community of scholars." Strong faculty governance will ultimately enhance the delivery of our services to our ultimate consumer -- the student. That's the bottom line.

For more information on AAUP Policy Documents & Reports, please contact the National AAUP at 1-800-424-2973 to purchase a copy of the most current edition.

Membership in the Association has obvious benefits for professional educators. Several of the pluses of belonging are:

• Making your voice heard. No matter how correct and legitimate our concerns may be, we must face the ultimate political truth that numbers count. Administrators know this, and they tend to become noticeably more responsive as the chapter grows. To join the UT-AAUP please fill out a membership application.
  
• Dues remain the same. AAUP annual dues are currently three-fourths of one percent (0.75 percent) of your annual salary. Your current deduction for AAUP fair share dues will remain the same.
  
• Reduced rates on legal matters. Reduced rates are offered through an attorney in a local law firm on matters including but not limited to real estate transactions, domestic relations, starting businesses, and criminal matters.
  
• Involvement. Develop a personal satisfaction in maintaining high professional standards and protecting faculty interests.
  
• Staying Informed. The UT-AAUP through its newsletters and other mailings keeps you abreast of the latest local, state, and national issues important to higher education. Included is a yearly subscription to the national, bimonthly journal ACADEME that prints scholarly articles on a broad range of issues and stages of academic life. Learn what these issues are and what is being done to see that faculty viewpoints are included in debating each one.
  
• Social events. There were three well-attended social events this past academic year for the UT-AAUP membership and guests.
  
• So that we may better serve you, please help us keep our UT-AAUP database current by submitting your change of address.