American Association of University Professors (AAUP)
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is an organization of professors and other academics in the United States. The AAUP's stated mission is to advance academic freedom and shared governance, to define fundamental professional values and standards for higher education, and to ensure higher education's contribution to the common good.
The F&M AAUP Chapter
AAUP membership includes over 500 local campus chapters and 39 state organizations. The F&M AAUP Chapter was established in the 1930s and has served over the decades through its executive board, ad hoc committees, and general membership to align our college with AAUP “best practices” of shared governance, faculty rights, and an equitable campus.
F&M AAUP Executive Board (AY2024-25)
President
Dennis Deslippe, American Studies and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Vice President
Giovanna Faleschini Lerner, Italian
Secretary
Ted Pearson, History
Treasurer
Tony Maynard, Economics
At Large member
Christine Chalifoux, Anthropology
Initiatives
Our initiatives in the past decade include:
Everyday: Serving in a supportive role for individual faculty facing professional crises.
We accompany colleagues to hearings and meetings in an observer status, conduct research on possible violations of their rights based on the AAUP Red Book, and provide references for legal assistance.
2022-present: Studying and advocating for revised college policies surrounding student incivility and harassment of faculty.
In response to faculty experiencing incivility and harassment, the F&M AAUP Executive Board conducted a survey of faculty to determine these kinds of behavior and their frequency. In addition, we examined existing college policies. After sharing the results of our research with faculty and administrators, we advocated for changed student handbook language and greater transparency when such behavior occurs. In AY2024-25 we are conducting an audit of the changed policies and the enforcement record.
2022-present: Revision the Faculty’s relationship to the Board of Trustees to provide structured opportunities for better shared governance.
This new initiative promotes AAUP “best practices” of transparency and regular occasions for direct faculty-trustee discussions of budgetary, academic, and long-range college planning.
2023-24: Service on Provost committee for revision of “Teaching Professor” position.
The AAUP representative on this committee succeeded in placing a provision in the final report to the Provost mandating that no more than 25 percent of courses could be taught by non-tenured/tenure-track faculty. The Provost accepted this report in spring 2024.
2020: Provided crucial information sessions in the early months of the COVID 19 Pandemic on “best practices” for financial exigency and academic program discontinuance.
We serve in advisory roles on key faculty motions related to the effects of the current budget crisis and its effects such as teaching loads.
2016: Proposal of the statement on academic freedom.
Once drafted, the F&M Chapter served on an ad hoc committee with administrators and elected faculty committee members on the final language approved by the Faculty and Trustees.
2014: Initiated the development of Teaching Professors positions.
Starting way back in 2014 the AAUP listened to the issues confronting some of our under-recognized colleagues. We initiated discussions and worked through a series of issues leading to the establishment of teaching professors. We continue to seek tenurable possibilities for these positions.
2013: A college-wide examination of the status of contingent faculty.
The F&M AAUP began the process in 2013 by conducting a survey, meeting with groups of contingent faculty to discuss their employment and professional concerns, and recommending handbook changes to improve these colleagues’ status. We continue to advocate for a stabilization of these positions that includes due process rights.