The AAUP operates a number of listservs; some are open and unmoderated, some are unmoderated but require an invitation to join, while others are both invitation-only and moderated. Although the AAUP encourages membership in the Association, you do not need to be a member to join most listservs. The intent of the AAUP listservs is to provide a useful and informative means of communicating with AAUP members and others interested in academic freedom, tenure protections, shared governance, and other issues in higher education.
Lively and candid exchanges are encouraged; however, subscribers agree that they have read and will comply with the following rules and guidelines.
Disclaimers and Legal Rules
• The AAUP is not responsible for the opinions and information posted on AAUP listservs; postings represent the viewpoint of the writer and are not endorsed by the AAUP. Anonymous postings are prohibited.
• Sexual harassment; use of defamatory language; dissemination of materials in violation of copyright and other intellectual property laws; and other activities prohibited by law are prohibited on AAUP listservs.
• Use of this listserv for any communication that could be construed in any way as support for or opposition to any candidate for a federal, state or local public office is prohibited. The federal law providing for the AAUP’s tax-exempt status forbids the use of AAUP resources or facilities, including these fora, in any way that would even appear to support or oppose such a political candidate.
• Use of this listserv for endorsement of candidates in an AAUP election, or for other AAUP-related electioneering, is prohibited. For further information on the limitations on the use of AAUP listservs as part of AAUP elections, see the AAUP’s policy on Newsletters, Listserv Electioneering, and AAUP Elections, at http://www.aaup.org/AAUP/about/bus/electioneering.htm.
• Posting of any commercial material, or contacting any member to advertise, sell, or solicit or otherwise promote any commercial product or service, is prohibited, as doing so also could jeopardize the AAUP’s tax-exempt status.
• By subscribing to an AAUP listserv, you agree to release and indemnify the AAUP from legal actions and penalties arising from messages you post on the listserv.
• Because the AAUP reserves the right to monitor this listserv, although it does not generally do so, users of the listserv do not have a personal right of privacy in any messages in the listserv, including messages marked “privileged,” “confidential,” etc.
• Posting of a message to this listserv does not constitute the official “filing” of an election complaint, election appeal, or grievance.
• The AAUP and/or the listserv manager reserve the right to make changes and modifications to this listserv and these disclaimers, terms, and conditions at any time for any reason. Listserv members will be notified, however, when such changes occur.
• In the event that any violations of the rules listed above, or other activities that violate the law or jeopardize the AAUP’s tax-exempt status, are brought to the AAUP’s attention, the AAUP will take appropriate action, at its discretion. The AAUP reserves the right to terminate, without prior notice, the listserv access of any user who does not abide by this policy.
Instituted November 17, 2007.
(11/07)