Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure

Faculty Appointment and Family Relationship

Statement urging the discontinuance of anti-nepotism policies and practices, and the rescinding of laws and institutional regulations that perpetuate them.

On Processing Complaints of Discrimination

Report examining evidentiary issues of proof of discrimination and providing guidance to faculty, administrators, and the Association’s staff on handling complaints raising claims of discrimination. While the report was drafted specifically to address allegations of discrimination on the basis of sex, it has over the years proven useful for complaints of improper discrimination based on other attributes as well.

The Role of the Faculty in Conditions of Financial Exigency

Recent years have witnessed massive closings of academic programs that are basic to a college or university’s curriculum, with a resulting erosion in the number and the authority of the tenured faculty.  The AAUP responded last month when its Council adopted as official policy the final text of a major report, The Role of the Faculty in Conditions of Financial Exigency.  

The subcommittee report makes recommendations designed to strengthen shared governance and faculty consultation when program closures are threatened, and it provides a more detailed and specific definition of “financial exigency.”  As to governance and consultation, it insists that faculty be involved in every stage of the process, beginning with the determination of whether the institution is indeed financially exigent.  As to defining financial exigency, the report extends the definition to situations not previously covered but only to those which jeopardize an institution’s academic integrity and core educational mission.

Academic Freedom and Tenure: Northwestern State University of Louisiana and Southeastern Louisiana University

Report finding administrators discontinued or consolidated academic programs and arbitrarily selected certain tenured professors in the programs for termination of appointment.

Academic Freedom and Tenure: University of Northern Iowa

Report examining the move last year by the administration of the University of Northern Iowa to discontinue nearly one-fifth of the university’s academic programs and close the university’s laboratory school. More than fifty faculty members were threatened with layoffs, and numerous tenured professors were constructively dismissed.

On Academic Boycotts

A report discussing academic boycotts and relevant AAUP policies, and making recommendations.

Academic Freedom and Tenure: Lawrence Technological University

Report concerning the actions taken by the administration of Lawrence Technological University regarding appointment termination following a decision to discontinue the undergraduate programs in business management.

Academic Freedom and Tenure University of the District of Columbia

Report concerning the actions by the administration of the University of the District of Columbia to terminate of 125 faculty members.

Academic Freedom and Tenure: Brigham Young University

Report concerning academic freedom at Brigham Young University, a religiously affiliated university and the denial of tenure.

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