Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the role of an AAUP chapter on our campus?

   1. With a majority of faculty colleagues as active chapter members, our AAUP chapter can serve as a coherent voice for faculty on our campus, making our positions on important issues clear and effective. This collective voice is harder to ignore than individuals acting or speaking alone. 

   2. Through our standing committees (Faculty Governance & Elections, Academic Freedom, Compensation & Benefits, Civil Rights, Membership, and Non-Tenure Track Faculty) we can proactively discuss and develop proposals around key issues facing faculty in a space independent from administrators, supplementing the work of governance committees and faculty meetings. 

   3. An AAUP chapter allows us to tap into and learn from a network of other chapters facing similar issues, and the national organization can provide resources and legitimacy to our own efforts on campus.

2. Is an AAUP chapter a labor union? 

   1. No, we have what is called an “advocacy chapter.” According to current labor law governed by the NLRB, tenure-track faculty at private institutions are considered “managers” and if they chose to form a union, employers would not be legally obligated to recognize it. (Tenure-track faculty at public universities are governed by state labor law and have unionized in many states, and college staff, non-tenure track faculty, and student workers can all form labor unions in both the public and private sectors.) The NLRB ruling on private-sector tenure-track faculty could change, but this is unlikely to happen anytime soon. Note that membership in an AAUP chapter can include more than just tenure-track faculty – see question below “Who can join?” 

   2. At many universities, AAUP chapters serve as the designated collective bargaining agent for faculty (i.e. faculty unions). The AAUP as a national organization is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). 

3. How does an AAUP chapter co-exist with our faculty governance structure?  

   1. An AAUP chapter can help strengthen existing processes of shared governance. Shared governance, in which faculty meaningfully participate in the governance of the institution, is an issue that the AAUP champions. Our Faculty Governance Committee is working to ensure that our own elected governance committee representatives are informed about AAUP principles and best practices.

4. Don't the AAUP committees duplicate exisiting committees in our governance structure? 

   1. Many of the standing committees do focus on issues that are central to our exisiting governance committees, yes. Our goal is not to replace or duplicate governance committees, but complement them through advocacy. AAUP committees can offer an independent space, without admin present, to consider issues of importance to faculty. Also, rather than assigned service work, all AAUP committee work is voluntary, and faculty can contribute to the work of these committees to the extent that they want, for as long as they want.

5. Do I need to pay dues? What will they be used for?

   1. To join national AAUP, income-based dues are required. To join the chapter, $20 annual dues are required. We decided to require dues to establish some minimum level of commitment to joining, but not one that was going to be a financial deterrent to anyone. We will decide, with input from members, what our dues pay for, but likely they will help pay for food for events and/or a small faculty emergency fund.   

6. Do many universities /colleges have AAUP chapters? 

   1. Yes! Over 500 universities and colleges, public and private, across the country do. See a list here: https://www.aaup.org/chapter-resources/find-a-chapter

   2. Learn more about the activities of AAUP chapters at other small liberal arts colleges:

      1. Bucknell University: https://aaup.scholar.bucknell.edu/about-aaup-bucknell/

      2. Goucher College: https://www.aaup.org/article/goucher-college-aaup-chapter

      3. Trinity College: https://www.aaup.org/article/trinity-college-aaup-chapter

      4. Merrimack College: https://www.aaup.org/article/merrimack-college-aaup-chapter

      5. Lebanon Valley College: https://www.aaup.org/article/lebanon-valley-college

      6. Whitman College: https://sites.google.com/view/wcaaup/past-accomplishments

7. Who can join? 

   1. National AAUP: Anyone can become an “associate member” of national AAUP. To become an “active member” of the national organization, and have certain rights and privileges (vote, hold office), one must hold a “professional position of teacher, researcher, graduate student, or related professional appointment,” excluding administrators. 

   2. Our chapter: Our bylaws state that: “Eligibility for membership in this chapter shall extend to all current and retired faculty members at Lake Forest College, including full-time and part time faculty, lecturers, non-tenure track faculty, instructional staff, non-teaching employees with faculty status, and any employees engaged in teaching and/or research,” with the exception of administrators. 

8. What is the relationship of AAUP to staff interests? 

   1. AAUP is an organization of professors (it's in the name), and many of the issues it champions, like academic freedom and shared governance, are specific to faculty. Faculty and staff occupy different structural positions in the college and are distinct types of employees - including the important distinction that staff can unionize, whereas tenure-track faculty at private universities are considered managers under labor law and cannot unionize. For that reason, as a faculty advocacy organization, we do not think it is appropriate for us to speak on behalf of staff. That said, as an organization committed to economic security, we wholeheartedly support all employees (staff, students, and faculty alike) in advocating and organizing for themselves through all channels available, and our Community Solidarity Committee is working with staff and students on areas of shared interest.   

9. What would my involvement with an AAUP chapter look like? 

   1. Involvement varies depending on your role and interest! 

      1. Member-wide chapter meetings occur at least twice a year. Leaders meet more frequently. 

      2. In between meetings, the main responsibility of members is participating in votes and polls to make sure the chapter effectively represents faculty interests and goals.

      3. You could be elected to a leadership position in the chapter as president, vice-president, secretary, or treasurer, or at-large representative. 

      4. You might choose to focus your effort on one of the issues of our standing committees, either chairing the committee or as a member. Committee chairs would determine the time commitment. We currently have 6 standing committees: 

         1. Faculty Governance & Elections

         2. Academic Freedom

         3. Civil Rights

         4. Membership

         5. Compensation & Benefits

         6. Non-Tenure Track Faculty

10. Have more questions, or looking to get more involved?

    1.  Please reach out to a chapter leader listed on our home page!