The AAUP's government relations program tracks legislation that is relevant to our mission at both the federal and state levels. We build relationships with policymakers, their staffs, and other higher education organizations to inform and influence policy discussions by offering our expertise as a resource. We also communicate legislative information to members and encourage them to become active in the issues affecting higher education in general and faculty in particular. Following are some of the issues we have been working on.
The AAUP's current legislative priorities regarding employee rights, research, student access, and more.
Budget Crisis/Education Stimulus
In April, Senator Tom Harkin, Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, proposed the creation of a $23 billion emergency fund as part of the “Keep Our Educators Working Act (S.2306).” It would create an Education Jobs Fund modeled after the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund that was established in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (commonly referred to as “the stimulus package”). U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is a very vocal supporter of the measure.
An estimated 300,000 educators—teachers, principals, librarians and counselors around the country—are facing layoffs. Ninety percent of school administrators expect to lay off staff and faculty in the coming school year. As was the case in the initial stimulus legislation, it is unclear how much of this funding would reach higher education, and whether it would be used for facilities or personnel. The bill has been forwarded to the Senate HELP committee, and we are tracking any developments. Hearings have yet to be scheduled.
AAUP Action – An action alert was sent to thousands of AAUP members and members of the larger higher education community. Recipients were asked to call their representative’s in Congress and explain why higher education funding needed to be restored, and why Congress needed to pass the “Keep Our Educators Working Act”.
All the tools you need to advocate for higher education will be accessible in one place and at any time. Find tips on building relationships with policymakers, networking to create coalitions, the importance of messaging, and more.
Employee Free Choice Act re-introduced in Congress
The Employee Free Choice Act, also commonly referred to as "card-check" or "majority sign-up" legislation, was reintroduced in the House and Senate on March 10. The bill, which would allow employees to unionize by signing petition cards rather than only by secret ballot, has been the subject of a huge battle between organized labor and business interest groups. The AAUP strongly supports the bill and is working with other groups to support passage of the legislation.
AAUP Endorsements of Issues of Concern
The AAUP has recently endorsed several multi-organization letters addressing issues of concern to the academic community.
Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act
Follow-up re: Whistleblowers Protection Enhancement Act
Aid Elimination Penalty
Classified materials
Border searches of electronic materials
Follow-up re: border searches
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
Free Speech Protection Act
Transparency in the financial bailout bill
Ideological exclusions
Follow-up letter re: ideological exclusions
Foreign Scholars' Visa Troubles Being Examined in Congress
The exclusions of foreign scholars and students is the focus of a new series of hearings in the House Committee on Science & Technology. Representative Brian Baird held a hearing on February 7 to examine the issue and the impact of these exclusions on the U.S. higher education community and on the global scholarly community. The AAUP, which has been very active in casework pertaining to this issue, submitted a joint comment with the ACLU to the Committee.
Free Exchange on Campus Coalition
The AAUP participates in the anti-"Academic Bills of Rights," pro-free speech Free Exchange on Campus Coalition. Together with our partners, we have helped defeat legislation based on ABOR; no such legislation has been passed in any state to date. To learn more about the coalition, read the statement of principles or look at our new brochure. For specific organizing efforts on your campus (or ideas on how to get started!), look through the Campus Voices organizing toolkit. To take a stand against "Intellectual Diversity" legislation before it comes to your campus, consider passing a Faculty Senate Resolution.