Faculty and students at the University of Northern Iowa are protesting academic cuts to programs and departments that have been proposed by the institution's administration. The cuts would result in layoffs, including layoffs of tenured faculty.
National AAUP Investigation
The national AAUP's Department of Academic Freedom, Tenure, and Governance informed UNI president Benjamin J. Allen in a March 16 letter that the AAUP would launch a formal investigation at the University of Northern Iowa. It had previously (March 2) sent a letter to Benjamin Allen expressing concern at the apparent fact that program cuts were made with no meaningful input from the faculty.
Chapter Actions
Learn more about "Rally for the Facts," a rally held during a Board of Regents meeting on the University of Northern Iowa campus. Also, read the article in the Cedar Falls Patch, "Protesters Bring Signs, Anger Into Board of Regents Meeting." See more of our pictures of the rally and read "Why UNI faculty has lost confidence in its leaders" (Waterloo Cedar-Falls Courier). (April 27)
The AAUP's University of Northern Iowa chapter (United Faculty) has mobilized gainst the program cuts and issued the followig statements:
UNI Layoffs and Closure Effects on Students and Curriculum Have Been Underreported. (March 19)
There is a Priority Crisis at UNI More Than a Financial Crisis. (March 7)
Related Materials
In "University success depends on faculty talent" (Iowa State Daily) and "UNI investigation should be taken seriously for all Regent universities," (Daily Iowan) the Iowa State University AAUP chapter tells readers why the events at UNI are important. (May 5)
The University of Iowa AAUP chapter issued a statement of support for and solidarity with its sister AAUP chapter at the University of Northern Iowa. (March 29)
University of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Statement Regarding Proposed Program Closures
A statement of principles submitted to the Northern Iowa Student Government.
AAUP report about program closures in Louisiana.
The "Rally for the Facts" at UNI on April 26, 2012.
The UNI community protests at the Board of Regents meeting on April 26, 2012.