Membership is confidential, and open to all university academic workers, including faculty (tenure track, NTT, adjunct), postdocs, graduate students, and academic staff.
AAUP membership is affiliated with AFT (American Federation of Teachers), and comes with all of the protections granted by AFT.
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: