2022 AAUP Conference and Biennial Meeting

The 2022 AAUP Conference and Biennial Meeting took place June 16–19 just outside of Washington, DC.

2022 Biennial Association Meeting information | 2022 Election Information | Delegate Instructions | COVID-19 Safety Protocols | 2022 Program | 2022 Biennial Association Meeting Agenda | AAUP/AFT Affiliation Information

Program (View PDF)

Thursday, June 16

7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.  Registration and Information

10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. State Conference Roundtable Discussion

State conference leaders are invited to participate in a discussion about issues you are facing in your states and initiatives your conference is undertaking.
Facilitator: Staff

10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. Recent Research on Academic Freedom, Tenure, and Governance
This session will showcase results from several recent surveys conducted by the AAUP research department on academic freedom, tenure, and governance. These include a national survey of senate presidents on faculty participation in shared governance and governance practices; a study of  the prevalence of AAUP policies in faculty handbooks and collective bargaining agreements; a national survey of chief academic officers on tenure practices, including accommodations for childbearing/childrearing and the relation of tenure practices and standards to diversity/equity/inclusion; and a survey of faculty members targeted by Campus Reform about the impact of their experience on academic freedom.
Presenter: Hans-Joerg Tiede (AAUP)

12:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. AAUP Council Session I *

1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Government Relations Training
Join us for a training on the nuts and bolts of running a government relations program, including how to approach legislators and craft your message. We’ll also discuss the New Deal for Higher Ed, a joint AAUP-AFT initiative.
Presenters: Sara Kilpatrick (Ohio AAUP conference director), John McNay (chair of the AAUP Committee on Government Relations), and Jim Bakken (AAUP)

1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Governance, Academic Freedom, and Institutional Racism in the University of North Carolina
The co-chair of a Special Committee on Governance, Academic Freedom, and Institutional Racism in the University of North Carolina system will discuss findings of a recent report. The report considers the influence of the gerrymandered North Carolina state legislature on the systemwide board of governors and campus boards of trustees and how political pressure has obstructed meaningful faculty participation in the governance of the UNC system while compromising the conditions for academic freedom. It also discusses how the racial climate on campuses (exacerbated by the "Silent Sam" and Professor Nikole Hannah-Jones controversies), lack of opportunities for advancement for faculty of color, and the exodus of faculty of color, are all reflective of and contribute to institutional forms of racism within the UNC system.
Presenters: Afshan Jafar (Connecticut College) and Henry Reichman (California State University-East Bay)

2:45 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Understanding Academic Freedom
The author of a new book on the topic will discuss how to demystify the concept of academic freedom and defend its principal means of protection: the system of academic tenure.
Presenter: Henry Reichman (California State University-East Bay)

2:45 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Collective Bargaining Chapter Discussion
Leaders and members of AAUP collective-bargaining chapters are invited to participate in a facilitated discussion of issues facing us.
Faciliators: Monica Owens (AAUP) and Sarah Lanius (AAUP)

2:45 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Advocacy Chapter Discussion
Leaders and members of AAUP advocacy chapters are invited to participate in a facilitated discussion of issues facing us.
Faciliator: Ellen Kress (AAUP)

3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. AAUP Expo
Meet AAUP staff and get information on AAUP publications and programs including research, legal work, media relations, academic freedom, and organizing. Johns Hopkins University Press will also be there with books on topics of interest to AAUP members. 
Note: Information will be available at a series of tables and you can come and go any time.

4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Delegate Voting & Elections Process Questions & Answers*

Friday, June 17

7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.  Registration and Information

7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. AAUP Biennial Association Meeting Delegates Credential Check-In Desk

9:00 a.m.–10:15 a.m. Opening Plenary: Higher Ed in the Crosshairs
A panel of higher education reporters will discuss culture wars, trending issues in academia, and how they cover these stories at the local and national level. Join the discussion.
Presenters: Ashleigh Fields (Howard University Hilltop), Colleen Flaherty (Inside Higher Ed), Joe Killian (NC Policy Watch), and Molly Minta (Mississippi Today)

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Current Issues in Remote Teaching
This is a listening session hosted by the AAUP Committee on Teaching, Research, & Publication to hear your feedback and concerns relating to online education and remote teaching ahead of an anticipated revision of AAUP policies on this topic.
Facilitators: Jonathan Rees (Colorado State University-Pueblo) and Henry Reichman, (California State University-East Bay)

10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m.  Gin and Panic: Surviving COVID, Contingency, and Manufactured Austerity
Join members of the AAUP Committee on Contingency and the Profession for a discussion of issues facing faculty on contingent appointments and strategies for building community, communicating across ranks, and pushing our institutions to do better.
Facilitators: Caprice Lawless (Front Range Community College) and David Kociemba (AAUP)

10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. The Racial Equity Initiative at the AAUP
After the murder of Mr. George Floyd, the elected leadership at AAUP decided to examine systemic racism within the association. The goal of this endeavor was to make the AAUP a more racially just organization. The presenters will describe the various steps the AAUP took to commence a racial equity initiative. In addition, we will discuss the current status of this organizational change effort.
Presenters: Glinda Rawls (Western Michigan University), Antonio Gallo (California State University-Northridge), and Carolyn Betensky (University of Rhode Island)

10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. Field Staff Association Meeting †

Noon–1:30 p.m. Keynote Luncheon and Presentation (ticket required)
Keynote Address: “The Fight for Higher Education: If Not Us, Who?”
Randi Weingarten, president, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO

2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. AAUP Biennial Meeting Session I 

6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Candidate & Member Cash Bar and Networking Reception *

Saturday, June 18th

7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Registration and Information

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. AAUP Biennial Meeting Session II

12:15 p.m.–1:30 p.m. Awards and Recognition Luncheon (ticket required)
Remarks by US Secretary of Education Miguel A. Cardona (Recorded)
Address by US Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal

Georgina M. Smith Award: Caprice Lawless (Front Range Community College)
Outstanding Achievement Award: Rachel Ida Buff (University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee)
Marilyn Sternberg Award: Johanna Foster (Monmouth University)
Read about the award recipients.

2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. AAUP Biennial Meeting Session III

* AAUP Members Only | † Closed Event

View Program PDF