AAUP at SMU

We are inviting all adjuncts, instructors, and lecturers; fixed-term faculty; librarians and archivists; clinical, research, tenure-track, and tenured faculty; graduate students and post-doctoral researchers; academic advisors and other academic professionals to join the newly relaunched SMU chapter of Texas AAUP-AFT. We are stronger together! Click here to join.

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, postdoctoral 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.

Membership is confidential, and dues are on a sliding scale. 

Membership is confidential, and dues are on a sliding scale based on self-reporting about your annual academic income at your institution:

$13.34/month for an income of $50,000 or less

$26.74/month for an income between $50,000 and $80,000

$39.48/month for an income above $80,000.

Reasons to join Texas AAUP-AFT:

AAUP campus chapters bring together faculty and staff across campus, provide mentoring and professional development, and help members navigate campus policies, procedures, and opportunities.

• Supportive Community of Scholars
  As a member, you’re not alone. You’re part of a local, statewide and national movement committed to academic integrity, student success, and the dignity of our profession. You gain access to training, legal representation, and a network of scholars who have your back.

• Protect Academic Freedom
  The historic mission of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is to protect academic freedom, due process, shared governance, and tenure. As political pressure grows on Texas campuses, we defend your right to teach, research, and speak freely—without fear.

• Employment protections, including representation in Title IX, HR, and Legal Matters
  As a member, you have a suite of employment protections to safeguard your rights at work. The protections include a team of Texas AFT lawyers, guidance from the Texas AAUP-AFT Office of Faculty Representation, $8 million in Texas AFT professional liability insurance (including up to $35k in criminal defense fees), and the Texas AAUP-AFT Legal Defense Fund (which covers a free consultation with an employment lawyer and personal attorney fees).

• Improve Working Conditions and Compensation
  Alone, it’s hard to push for better pay or employment contracts. Together, we have the power to organize for real improvements in equitable pay, multiyear contracts, and access to health insurance, retirement, and other benefits. We provide the legal, strategic, and organizing support to make change possible.

• Navigate New State Laws Regulating Faculty
  We provide guidance and legal support to help faculty navigate new state laws. For example, SB 37 puts faculty senates at public universities under administrative control, limits faculty speech in committees, and grants political appointees control over course catalog descriptions. Despite this, faculty still retain academic freedom in course content, materials, and teaching style. Read more

• Advocate for Higher Ed
  We organize our members to defend higher ed from harmful budget cuts, outsourcing, and political interference. Through coordinated legislative action and grassroots campaigns, we champion the value of public and private colleges and universities for all Texans. Read more.

• This is a critical moment. The attacks on higher education are real—but so is our power when we organize. By joining Texas AAUP-AFT, you help build a stronger, more united faculty voice that can protect what we value most.

• Stand with your colleagues. Help shape the future of higher education in Texas. Join the movement:

• https://connect.aft.org/app/memberforms/8041A/JoinTheFight