2019 AAUP Updates

In August, Kirkwood Community College in Iowa forced the resignation of Jeff Klinzman, an adjunct instructor of 24 years, because of social media posts (some dating to 2012) that supported antifascism and were critical of the president of the United States.

Emory University is seeking to fire Paul Zwier, a tenured faculty member, for reportedly using the n-word on two occasions while teaching a class. On July 10 the AAUP sent a case letter Emory University's provost, writing that the faculty member's speech is protected under principles of academic freedom, and urging the university to cease its dismissal action against Zwier.

In response to reports that the FBI has advised some US universities to develop protocols for monitoring students and scholars from Chinese state-affiliated research institutions. the AAUP and eighteen other organizations have issued a statement concerning how this monitoring may violate academic freedom. 

The AAUP joined the American Council on Education and 32 other higher education groups in support of the College Student Hunger Act of 2019.

The University of South Carolina board of trustees voted Friday to hire retired Army general Robert Caslen as the university's next president. On July 16, the AAUP sent a case letter to the USC board chair, the university's president and faculty senate officers, and the South Carolina conference of the AAUP about the presidential search.

The governor’s 41 percent reduction in state funding to Alaska’s public university system would mean closing campuses across the state and endangering the university’s accreditation. We call on the lawmakers of Alaska to override it.

The AAUP has joined a US Supreme Court amicus brief arguing that workplace discrimination based on LGBTQ status is unlawful.

We are pleased to announce that the AAUP will be moving forward with organizational changes after affirmative votes at last week’s AAUP annual meeting and AAUP Collective Bargaining Congress regular meeting.