Mission Statement

The UM-Dearborn AFT-AAUP (American Federation of Teachers - American Association of University Professors) represents the tenure-track faculty of the University of Michigan-Dearborn. We are a union committed to democratic participation and decisionmaking. We value shared governance, academic freedom, the protection of tenure, fair pay, equitable working conditions, and a quality education and learning conditions for our students.

We fundamentally respect and uphold the contribution of institutions of higher education to society. We also believe our students are the primary reason for our University’s existence, and the University’s success is inextricably bound to their success. Therefore, we hold the University to its mission and aspire to maintain a student-centered campus environment. We unite with recognition that institutional success can only be fully achieved when contributions of other campus faculty and staff are recognized and valued alongside contributions of tenure-track faculty. We also remain committed to the welfare, health, and well-being of the city and region served by our University.

 To these ends, The UM-Dearborn AAUP-AFT will:

• Negotiate fair improvements in faculty wages, benefits, autonomy, and working conditions, including consistent raises that at least meet cost of living, address compression and equity, and reduce wage gaps.

• Protect and defend academic freedom and tenure.

• Strengthen faculty voices in campus and university decision making by practicing and promoting shared transparent governance and due process.

• Ensure the quality of the student learning experience by upholding best practices in our disciplines and endorsing national curriculum guidelines and professional standards, including class sizes and modalities optimized for student engagement and learning.

• Ensure that the university supports faculty’s research and scholarship, teaching, service, and creative pursuits.

• Advance a non-discriminatory, genuinely inclusive workplace, including advocating for the rights of international faculty and any vulnerable groups on our campus.

• Promote the overlap of faculty well-being with the well-being of other campus groups through collaboration.

• Seek funding for the support of students, staff, librarians, and faculty through legislative and political advocacy.

• Partner with groups in Dearborn, Wayne County, the wider community, and state, national, and global allies.