What We Do
An AAUP chapter convenes under the principles and procedures of the AAUP and our profession at large. AAUP-QU is committed to protecting academic freedom, strengthening shared governance, and offering thoughtful solutions to the pressing issues of this time. We are not a collective bargaining unit.
- We believe that the entire QU community can only benefit from an informed and empowered faculty
- We aim to promote greater inclusion of faculty in budgetary planning
- We advocate for the health, safety, and well-being of the QU community
- We support a fair and manageable workload
- We press the leadership to halt layoffs of faculty and staff in this time of public-health emergency
- We foster the implementation of the university’s stated values for diversity, equity, and inclusion
- We affirm the faculty’s decision-making role in matters that directly impact the education of our students
Frequently Asked Questions about AAUP-QU
What is the AAUP?
The American Association of University Professors is a 100-year-old professional organization founded to articulate and defend the principles of tenure, academic freedom, and shared governance. The national AAUP advocates for faculty in many ways: by engaging with the media and the political process; by preparing and disseminating reports on major issues facing faculty; by investigating, warning, and sometimes censuring administrations that have breached academic standards; and by sharing resources, national standards, and best practices with chapters across the nation.
What is an advocacy chapter of the AAUP?
An advocacy chapter is different from organizations like unions, academic councils, or disciplinary associations. Our aim is to strengthen the voice of faculty in service of Quinnipiac’s educational purpose.
This all sounds good, but we already have the Faculty Senate! What’s different about the AAUP, and is it in conflict with the Senate?
The Faculty Senate and AAUP-QU have complementary functions: governance and advocacy. The Senate is an integral part of Quinnipiac as an institution; we are very grateful to our Senate for their ongoing hard work! By contrast, an AAUP chapter is an independent association of faculty; our concern is not to run Quinnipiac, but to hold it to the principles and standards of our profession.
I don’t want to participate in something that has an adversarial, “us vs. them” attitude. I believe that the administration is doing the best they can in the face of difficult problems.
So do we! Higher education faces daunting challenges. We view administration, faculty, and staff as playing different and overlapping roles on campus. We all want our institution and our students to thrive, but naturally we sometimes have different information, incentives, or priorities. We believe that faculty safeguard the core educational purpose of Quinnipiac. Whether through building bridges or speaking our truth, we are committed to holding Quinnipiac to that purpose, and advocating for faculty so that we can serve it.
Can an AAUP chapter really make a difference?
We already have! Whether by providing a less hierarchical, more grassroots space for faculty to come together and share concerns in community; or providing AAUP resources to senators for their work; or coordinating email campaigns, our chapter is already working to strengthen the faculty voice at Quinnipiac. We have more work to do – so join us!
Still not convinced? This article describes how an AAUP advocacy chapter can impact a campus: Transform Your Campus
The American Association of University Professors is a 100-year-old professional organization founded to articulate and defend the principles of tenure, academic freedom, and shared governance. The national AAUP advocates for faculty in many ways: by engaging with the media and the political process; by preparing and disseminating reports on major issues facing faculty; by investigating, warning, and sometimes censuring administrations that have breached academic standards; and by sharing resources, national standards, and best practices with chapters across the nation.
What is an advocacy chapter of the AAUP?
An advocacy chapter is different from organizations like unions, academic councils, or disciplinary associations. Our aim is to strengthen the voice of faculty in service of Quinnipiac’s educational purpose.
This all sounds good, but we already have the Faculty Senate! What’s different about the AAUP, and is it in conflict with the Senate?
The Faculty Senate and AAUP-QU have complementary functions: governance and advocacy. The Senate is an integral part of Quinnipiac as an institution; we are very grateful to our Senate for their ongoing hard work! By contrast, an AAUP chapter is an independent association of faculty; our concern is not to run Quinnipiac, but to hold it to the principles and standards of our profession.
I don’t want to participate in something that has an adversarial, “us vs. them” attitude. I believe that the administration is doing the best they can in the face of difficult problems.
So do we! Higher education faces daunting challenges. We view administration, faculty, and staff as playing different and overlapping roles on campus. We all want our institution and our students to thrive, but naturally we sometimes have different information, incentives, or priorities. We believe that faculty safeguard the core educational purpose of Quinnipiac. Whether through building bridges or speaking our truth, we are committed to holding Quinnipiac to that purpose, and advocating for faculty so that we can serve it.
Can an AAUP chapter really make a difference?
We already have! Whether by providing a less hierarchical, more grassroots space for faculty to come together and share concerns in community; or providing AAUP resources to senators for their work; or coordinating email campaigns, our chapter is already working to strengthen the faculty voice at Quinnipiac. We have more work to do – so join us!
Still not convinced? This article describes how an AAUP advocacy chapter can impact a campus: Transform Your Campus
