2021 Summer Institute Online

In just a year, the world of higher education has changed radically, with new COVID-safety concerns, more austerity budgets targeting faculty and staff, and rising governance and academic freedom violations. That’s why AAUP Summer Institute Online is needed more than ever.

Between July 6 and 29, the AAUP will be presenting panels, meetings, and training workshops every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, free to members. (Not a member? Join now to access our membership benefits, including Summer Institute.) The panels will take place on Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. EDT on July 6, 13, 20, and 27 and will feature the omnibus shared governance investigation, New Deal for Higher Ed, advocacy organizing, and the campus policing report. We’ll also have informal brainstorming sessions from 4 to 5 p.m. EDT for state conference officers, the New Deal campaign, advocacy chapter organizing, bargaining, and reforming campus policing. 

Members can also apply for small-scale workshop tracks for training in bargaining, organizing, research, and government relations. These trainings will be held Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. EDT on July 8, 15, 22, and 29, in the Zoom meeting format, and will feature a variety of interactive and hands-on workshops.

Our sessions are aimed at the issues and challenges facing higher education today. Join hundreds of other academic workers to build your skills, get inspired, and make connections for your future activism! Now is the time to organize for a better future for our students, the profession, and our communities.

• Read the full schedule below.

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

COVID-19 and Academic Governance: Reflections on the AAUP Investigative Report  (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)

This session provides an overview of the AAUP’s omnibus investigative report on academic governance and the Covid pandemic. The report details responses to the crisis that were effected largely by administrative fiat with little or no consultation with the faculty even where austerity and emergency measures had dramatic effects on the curriculum and faculty status, areas traditionally considered the faculty’s primary responsibility. In addition to a discussion of the report’s findings and recommendations, this session will focus on how Illinois Wesleyan University’s AAUP chapter, together with faculty governance bodies and their allies, organized to fight back, and the lessons they learned. 

Panelists: Michael DeCesare (Merrimack College AAUP); Anita Levy (AAUP Senior Program Officer); Michael Theune (Illinois Wesleyan University AAUP)  

Next Steps: State Conferences after Janus, Trump, and COVID: Coordinating and Empowering Chapters* (4:00–5:00 p.m. EDT)

Using examples from the New York and Oregon AAUP State Conferences this session aims to give state conference leaders an idea of the diversity of conditions facing higher education in different states and thus the variety of organizational challenges facing AAUP state conferences, particularly in regards to keeping channels open between chapter and state conference leadership. At the same time, we identify some commonalities in the work of the two very different state conferences in terms of organizing, advocacy, and legislative action at the state level. There will be plenty of time for participants to ask questions and provide updates on the work of their state conferences.

Facilitators: Michael Dreiling (Oregon conference president); Mary Rose Kubal (New York conference president)

*This session is for state conference officers only.                            

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Getting Ready for the Bargaining Table (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(Bargaining Track)

Bargaining a solid contract requires a good amount of work before the teams get anywhere near a table. This session will consist of an overview of the work needed to prepare for bargaining: understanding the legal and political framework for bargaining; putting in place the ideal structural framework for getting the needed work done and decision-making; analysis of current and anticipated issues in order to set priorities; research; determining realistic outcomes and devising a game plan for the eventual contract settlement.

Mike Mauer (AAUP Senior Labor Advisor)

Issue Identification: How to Turn Your Problems into Campaigns (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(Organizing Track)

Over the last year, opportunistic administrators have used the COVID pandemic as an excuse to trample over shared governance standards, create panics about fiscal shortfalls leading to mass layoffs, and increase the pressure on faculty with contingent appointments. How do we combat the tendency for some faculty to disengage or fall into despair when the administration does That Thing They Do? This webinar will equip you with the knowledge and skills to take decisive action through your AAUP chapter to fight back and build real power. We will discuss how to identify deeply and widely felt problems among the faculty, how to convert those problems into winnable issues, and start thinking strategically to win.

Shawn Fields (AAUP Western Lead Organizer); Rob Kilgore (University of South Carolina AAUP); Mike Magee (AAUP Organizer)

Introduction to Financial Statements (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(Research Track)

Howard Bunsis (Past Chair of the AAUP-CBC) and Rudy Fichtenbaum (Past President of the AAUP)

Core Principles of Government Relations (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(New Programs Track)

Everyone has heard the classic Schoolhouse Rock! song, but in 2021, how does a bill really become a law? Many of the problems that our chapters face stem directly from state funding gaps, out-of-date federal laws, and a lack of meaningful protections for faculty and under-resourced institutions. How can we fix these really pressing problems, and reshape higher ed for the better? In this session, we’ll review the nuts and bolts of how higher ed policymaking works and highlight upcoming legislation where we can have an impact. We’ll also look at case studies of effective advocacy on state higher ed funding and use power mapping to identify federal targets for future campaigns.     

Sara Kilpatrick (Executive Director of the Ohio State Conference); and Kaitlyn Vitez (AAUP Government Relations Specialist)

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

The New Deal for Higher Education: Taking Control of the Future of Campus Employment (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)

Moderators: Kaitlyn Vitez (AAUP Government Relations Specialist); Jim Bakken (Deputy Director, AAUP Department of Organizing and Services)

Panelists: Ethan Ake-Little (AFT Pennsylvania); Jeff Schuhrke (University of Illinois at Chicago United Faculty IFT-AFT, AAUP, AFL-CIO); Aaron Krall (University of Illinois at Chicago United Faculty IFT-AFT, AAUP, AFL-CIO); Missi Rassmussen (AFT Academics); Samantha Sommers (AFT Academics)              

Next Steps: Faculty Unions for a New Deal (4:00–5:00 p.m. EDT)

This breakout session run by facilitators will allow participants to share experiences and brainstorm next steps on this topic with colleagues from other campuses.

Facilitators: Jim Bakken (Deputy Director, AAUP Department of Organizing and Services); Ursula Lawrence (AAUP Midwest Lead Organizer); Kaitlyn Vitez (AAUP Government Relations Specialist); TBA

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Intro to the Art and Science of Bargaining: I (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(Bargaining Track)

These workshops are intended for individuals who are new to the bargaining process or who want to refresh their bargaining skills. We will provide hands-on experience with drafting and presenting proposals as well as group discussion about strategies and tactics to build member power behind your bargaining team. Part one of the workshop will focus on drafting proposals and counter-proposals and communicating your core values to members and the employer. In part two, participants will take the lead in presenting and responding to proposals in simulated bargaining scenarios, followed by a group discussion of potential field strategies to advance your goals. For those who are looking for an introduction to the steps before the proposal drafting process, we recommend taking the workshop, “Getting to the Table,” as a prerequisite.

Johanna Foster (Monmouth University AAUP); Sarah Lanius (AAUP Field Service Representative); Monica Owens (AAUP Field Service Representative)

Organizing an Issue Campaign (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(Organizing Track)

A chapter’s greatest strength comes from its members. But when an issue arises at your institution, it can be challenging to figure out how or when to mobilize this strength effectively. This session will walk participants through the steps of organizing around an issue – starting from identifying tactics and creating an escalating plan of action to implementing your plan and mobilizing members and allies to achieve a win.  

Shawn Fields (AAUP Western Lead Organizer); Tim Gibson (George Mason University AAUP); Bethany Letiecq (George Mason University AAUP); Mike Magee (AAUP Organizer)          

Introduction to IPEDS Data (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(Research Track)

Howard Bunsis (Past Chair of the AAUP-CBC) and Rudy Fichtenbaum (Past President of the AAUP)

Lobbying Skills: Telling Your Story (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(New Programs Track)

As faculty leaders and organizers, our ability to be persuasive relies on our ability to tell a compelling story. And after a year like this one, we have a lot of stories to tell about urgent problems to fix at our own campuses. But how can you communicate those lived experiences to a legislator and urge them to take a specific action to secure a New Deal? We’ll practice how to hone your experiences into a 2-minute story that ties into a clear policy ask. We’ll also review principles for telling that story on social media, as a complement to your larger issue campaigns.   

Kelly Benjamin (AAUP Media Specialist); Ian Gavigan (Rutgers AAUP-AFT); Kaitlyn Vitez (AAUP Government Relations Specialist)

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Advocacy Chapters: Organizing to Win (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)

The last academic year saw AAUP chapters from across the country and beyond engage in campaigns. Some of these campaigns fought faculty cuts, some sought to make administrations comply with AAUP regulations, others tried to save institutions from closing. This panel will explore the campaigns conducted by the AAUP chapters of three very different schools: the University of Evansville, Hampshire College, and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The presenters will explain the strategies and tactics of those campaigns, and, in doing so, open up a larger discussion about how chapters can construct campaigns that achieve their goals.   

Robert Baines (Evansville AAUP); Kevin Hanrahan (University of Nebraska at Lincoln AAUP); Michele Hardesty (Hampshire College AAUP)                        

Next Steps: Advocacy Organizing (4:00–5:00 p.m. EDT)       

This breakout session run by facilitators will allow participants to share experiences and brainstorm next steps on this topic with colleagues from other campuses.

Robert Baines (Evansville AAUP); Matt Cohen (University of Nebraska at Lincoln AAUP); and Christopher Simeone (Director, AAUP Department of Organizing and Services)

Next Steps: Faculty Union Bargaining Chat Session (4:00–5:00 p.m. EDT)      

This breakout session run by facilitators will allow participants to share experiences in bargaining during the past year with colleagues from other campuses.

Michael Bailey (UConn AAUP Executive Director); Paul Davis (AAUP Vice President); Johanna Foster (Monmouth University AAUP); Amy Pollard (Oakland University AAUP); Chris Sinclair (AAUP Secretary-Treasurer)

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Intro to the Art and Science of Bargaining: II (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(Bargaining Track)

These workshops are intended for individuals who are new to the bargaining process or who want to refresh their bargaining skills. We will provide hands-on experience with drafting and presenting proposals as well as group discussion about strategies and tactics to build member power behind your bargaining team. Part one of the workshop will focus on drafting proposals and counter-proposals and communicating your core values to members and the employer. In part two, participants will take the lead in presenting and responding to proposals in simulated bargaining scenarios, followed by a group discussion of potential field strategies to advance your goals. For those who are looking for an introduction to the steps before the proposal drafting process, we recommend taking the workshop, “Getting to the Table,” as a prerequisite.

Johanna Foster (Monmouth University AAUP); Sarah Lanius (AAUP Field Service Representative); Monica Owens (AAUP Field Service Representative)

From Redbook to Handbook: Putting AAUP Policies and Standards Into Practice (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(Organizing Track)

One of the major responsibilities of an AAUP chapter is to seek to incorporate key AAUP policies and principles into its faculty handbook or collective bargaining agreement. In this workshop, we will consider effective strategies for carrying out this important work. Which Association policies should be your priority? What techniques have worked for other members and chapters? How can faculty organizing help your chapter win changes to institutional policies? What resources can the AAUP provide to assist you in your efforts?  

Jim Bakken (Deputy Director, AAUP Department of Organizing and Services); Mark Criley (AAUP Senior Program Officer)

Negotiating Health Benefits (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(Research Track)

Howard Bunsis (Past Chair of the AAUP-CBC) and Rudy Fichtenbaum (Past President of the AAUP)

How to Use Faculty Compensation Data in Your Chapter (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(New Programs Track)

This workshop explores the use of faculty compensation data in collective bargaining and issue campaigns. After identifying relevant types of issues related to salary, compensation, and benefits, we will discuss available data sources, tools for compiling and analyzing the relevant data, essential statistical concepts, and ways that the AAUP Research Department can support negotiations.

Glenn Colby (AAUP Senior Researcher); Ziyan Bai (AAUP Research Assistant)

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Closing Plenary: Campus Policing (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)

George Floyd and Breonna Taylor were killed by police, and their names recognized across the world. The names of Sam DuBose ( 2015 University of Cincinnati, OH), Tyrone West (2013 Morgan State University, Baltimore MD), Charles Thomas (2018 University of Chicago, IL), Jason Washington (2018, Portland State University, OR) are not as commonly recognized, yet they were also killed by police—in each case—armed campus police.

The issue of policing has gained national attention within the larger society and at institutions of higher education. In this closing plenary session, faculty from the West Coast will discuss why campus safety and policing are union issues. They will also examine the notion of safety and share their personal and professional experiences. Lastly, they will offer recommendations on how to start a conversation about policing on campus.

Michael Hames-Garcia (United Academics of the University of Oregon AAUP-AFT); Marlene Howell (Portland State University AAUP); Moe Miller (California Faculty Association, CFA Fullerton Chapter Lecturers' Representative); and moderator Glinda Rawls (Western Michigan University AAUP)                  

Next Steps: Campus Policing (4:00–5:00 p.m. EDT) 

This breakout session run by facilitators will allow participants to share experiences and brainstorm next steps on this topic with colleagues from other campuses.      

Facilitators: Chris Cox (CFA Associate Vice President, Racial and Social Justice - North / CFA Board of Directors); Michael Hames-García (UT Austin); Marlene Howell (PSU AAUP); Malori Musselman (AAUP Organizer)           

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Bargaining for the Common Good (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(Bargaining Track) 

This workshop will explore the steps to running a successful Bargaining for the Common Good (BCG) campaign, where unions and community groups work together as equal partners around a set of bargaining demands that impact the entire community. We will discuss a BCG campaign at Rutgers University where unions, student groups, and community groups are partnering around a broad set of demands focused on housing justice, lower tuition, and more. Institutions of higher ed are strategically crucial for shaping the future of our economy and democracy. Unions win more at the negotiations table and student and community groups win bigger and broader campaigns when we work together in this way!

Alexandra Adams (Rutgers AAUP-AFT); KB Brower (Bargaining for the Common Good); Mark Hopkins (Rutgers AAUP-AFT Organizer)            

Empowering Community Coalitions: Building Solidarity Work among Community, Faculty and Student Allies (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(Organizing Track)

Explore why community-based organizations and student alliances can be an important source of support for the issues on your campus. This discussion will focus on sustainable coalition-building practices that lend itself building capacity and a stronger faculty voice for robust issue campaigns. Discussion will center on issues that unite faculty across ranks, shared interests among different sectors, and potential tensions among each group.     

Ihsan Al-Zouabi (Rutgers AAUP-AFT); Daniel Byrne (University of Evansville AAUP); Marlan Maralit (AAUP Lead Organizer)                          

How to Use Governance Survey Data in Your Chapter (1:00–3:00 p.m. EDT)
(New Programs Track)

The 2021 AAUP Shared Governance Survey, the first national governance survey in two decades, was a national survey of senate chairs and faculty governance leaders in similar roles. The survey covered a wide range of governance-related topics, including assessments of the relative authority of faculty and administration in some 30 areas of institutional decision-making, structural features of governance systems, the impact of the Covid pandemic on governance, and demographic information about governance leaders. In the first part of the workshop, we will review central findings of the survey, including, in particular the scale used to assess faculty authority in governance. We will then review a questionnaire that you can use on your own campus to assess faculty authority, as well as the methodology for administering it, and how to use your findings.      

Michael DeCesare (Merrimack College AAUP); Hans-Joerg Tiede (Director, AAUP Department of Research)