AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS

For more than sixty years, the American Association of University Professors has acted as the authoritative voice of the academic profession in the area of standards for responsible practices by the academic community. The core of the AAUP standards is found in its 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure. The procedures for carrying out these principles have been clearly elaborated in a series of policy statements and reports. The 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure has been adopted by Trinity College as its own position. A complete text of the statement is available from the Trinity chapter officers.

The local chapter of the AAUP has two officers, the President and the Secretary-Treasurer, who are elected annually at an open chapter meeting. Faculty can join the national AAUP and/or contribute to the expenses of the local chapter. Membership forms for the national organization are available from chapter officers. Support for the Trinity College Chapter is made by two payroll deductions of four dollars twice a year; forms are available from chapter officers.

There are two standing committees of the local chapter; new Faculty involvement is welcomed. The Economic Status Committee issues a report each fall that examines trends in Faculty salary and compensation. A chapter meeting is held to consider the report and the sense of the meeting is communicated to Faculty members of the Financial Affairs Committee (see description of Financial Affairs Committee responsibilities).

There is also a Grievance Committee which acts upon violations of the 1940 Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure. The functions of the Committee are:

(1) to provide moral support to aggrieved Faculty,

(2) to act as a liaison to state and national levels of AAUP,

(3) to advise the Faculty member on possible courses of internal action, and

(4) to consider with the Faculty member what role the AAUP might play in their dispute.

Persons with grievances are encouraged to bring them to the attention of the Committee.