Spelman College AAUP Advocacy Chapter/AFT 

A choice to change...

Mission:

AAUP chapters at campuses across the country work to advance the mission of the AAUP through advocacy, organizing and, where possible, collective bargaining. In some states, state conferences support chapters and work on state level issues.

Our advocacy chapter is primarily committed to two core principles: shared governance and academic freedom.  In pursuit of these two commitments, we aim to participate in good faith coalition building between the Spelman administrative body and the Spelman faculty body to sustain intellectual and institutional excellence.  Actions taken through strong, fostered bonds of collaboration can help ensure that Spelman faculty are fully and appropriately represented in the “home” and in the national political landscape of higher education.  We will work to maintain consistent and accurate representation of faculty interest through consistent engagement with the faculty members on matters of professional autonomy and success.  

With respect to campus life, we hope to cultivate community relations of empowerment for and between faculty through various activities of fellowship.  We aim to generate and increase support for our vulnerable contingent faculty.  And we will endeavor to enhance faculty personal and professional well-being whenever and wherever possible.   

Additionally, the Spelman AAUP Advocacy chapter is committed to the principles of the Foundational for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) mission statement:

FIRE’s mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought—the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.

FIRE recognizes that colleges and universities play a vital role in preserving free thought within a free society. To this end, we place a special emphasis on defending the individual rights of students and faculty members on our nation’s campuses, including freedom of speech, freedom of association, due process, legal equality, religious liberty, and sanctity of conscience.