ANNOUNCEMENTS

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The mission of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP)  is to advance academic freedom and shared governance; to define  fundamental professional values and standards for higher education; to  promote the economic security of faculty, academic professionals,  graduate students, post‐doctoral fellows, and all those engaged in  teaching and research in higher education; to help the higher education  community organize to make our goals a reality; and to ensure higher  education's contribution to the common good.  

 Academic freedom is the indispensable requisite for unfettered teaching  and research in institutions of higher education. As the academic  community'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" (1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure, which has been adopted by more than 85% of the public and non-profit private universities in the US). 

Since its founding, the AAUP has been ensuring meaningful faculty participation in institutional governance. Its 1966 Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities is the "gold standard" having been jointly formulated with the American Council  on Education representing university and college Presidents and the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges representing trustees and regents.  This statement calls for shared responsibility among the different  components of institutional government and specifies areas of primary  responsibility for governing boards, administrations, and faculties.  Over 1500 colleges and universities have adopted this statement.

Academic freedom and shared governance are preserved only by an informed and engaged faculty! We invite you to join Texas AAUP-AFT today, and unite with your colleagues in Texas and across the U.S.  Here are several reasons to join.

 Join with the Texas AAUP-AFT Conference as we advocate together for faculty and instructors throughout the state. Become involved in a  campus chapter, or start one! Together, we can make a difference! 

Brian L. Evans, PhD

President, Texas AAUP-AFT Conference 

aaup.texas@gmail.com