UT Austin AAUP Advocacy Chapter: Academic Freedom & Shared Governance
Join the UT Austin AAUP Advocacy Chapter to advocate for academic freedom, free speech, and shared governance. Explore membership opportunities and initiatives promoting due process and tenure. Stay informed about recent activities and collaborations advancing the core values of higher education in Texas and beyond.
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Presentation Transcript
Welcome! UT Austin advocacy chapter, AAUP Membership meeting December 10, 2024
Mission and Membership . We advocate for academic freedom, free speech, shared governance, due process & tenure. Membership is open to TT & professional faculty, and to staff & graduate students with a teaching role. Since March 2024, affiliated with Texas AFT
Elected Officers Candidates Needed! 2023-2025 term Polly Strong (COLA) President Vice President 2022-2024 term Andrea Gore (Pharmacy) Secretary 2023-2025 term Lauren Gutterman (COLA) 2022-2024 term Treasurer Steven Seegel (COLA) At-Large Member #1 2023-2025 term Karma Chavez (COLA) VACANT (thank you, Julia Mickenberg!) At-Large Member #2 2024-2026 term Past President 2023-2025 term Brian Evans (Engineering)
https://www.aaup.org AAUP web site homepage has recent news; see tabs for good resources on academic freedom, shared governance https://aaup-texas.org Texas AAUP Conference web site Sites and Resources https://aaup-utaustin.org UT chapter web site https://twitter.com/TexasAaup Texas Conference twitter (X) feed Gradually moving to BlueSky https://twitter.com/aaup_utAustin UT chapter Twitter (X) feed Gradually moving to BlueSky LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-evans-58a2b76/ AAUP Redbook https://www.aaup.org/reports- publications/publications/redbook
Monitored implementation of SB 17 & SB 18. Met with Provost & VP for Legal Affairs to express concerns about over-implementation. Publicized carve-outs for teaching & research. Educated administrators & faculty on academic freedom & shared governance, including at Dean s Council meeting.. Advocated for academic freedom & due process for students. Protested mass firings of former DEI staff & militarized police response to student protests. Organized letter of no-confidence in President Hartzell that garnered over 600 signatures; worked with Faculty Council members to bring a resolution to Faculty Council. Activities in 2024 Testified at Higher Education Subcommittee hearing on the implementation of SB 17, the Governor s Executive Order on antisemitism, & free speech (May) Facilitated and publicized AAUP survey of faculty in Texas & other Southern states Opposed lack of due process in non-renewal of COLA Dean Ann Stevens contract Testified on interim legislative charges: shared governance, so-called discriminatory curricula (November) Participated as individuals in consultative committee for the Dean of the School of Civic Leadership Participated in 2024 Texas AAUP Conference and Biennial Meeting; Texas AAUP-AFT Spring & Fall meetings (February & September 2024) Collaborated with multiple educational, advocacy, worker and student organizations in Texas and beyond Grew our membership through outreach and monthly social hours Educated public through op-eds, conference presentations, social media
Coming up in 2025 Legislature convenes: January 16, 2025. Governor s/Lt. Gov s priorities: AT UT Stopping DEI to Strengthen the Texas Workforce (extending SB 17 to curriculum) Restricting shared governance, regulating Faculty Senates/Councils Examining the protection of free speech Monitoring the implementation of the Governor s order on antisemitism Monitoring the implementation of SB 17 Monitoring the implementation of SB 18 (regulating tenure) Examining the protection of free speech Implementation of Governor s Executive Order on research and travel to China, Hong Kong, Russia, and Iran Review of flags, including cultural diversity and global culture flags New free speech regulations New graduate student grievance process Participating as individuals in consultative committees for administrative positions
Brian Evans Texas AAUP-AFT, collaborations with Texas organizations Andrea Gore Legislative advocacy Karma Chavez/Lauren Gutterman Collaborations with student and other national organizations Steven Seegel Academic freedom internationally Officers Reports
Texas AAUP - Pres. Brian Evans (aaup.texas@gmail.com) National AAUP (aaup.org) Texas AAUP (aaup-texas.org) Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom Tenure Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities Founded in 1915 by faculty to formulate principles of academic freedom with associations of colleges and university presidents including the following. Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom & Tenure defines academic freedom in teaching, research, and expression. Adopted by more than 85% of four-year public and non-profit private universities in the US, including all seven public university systems in Texas. Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities, defines roles and responsibilities of Faculty, President, and Board of Regents. Adopted by 1500+ colleges and universities, including UT Austin and UT System. AAUP has 42,000 members and 500 campus chapters advocating for these principles and organizing to promote economic security and quality education. AAUP affiliated with American Federation of Teachers in 2022. AFT has 1.8M members with 300,000 in higher ed. Advocates at the Legislature New registration link Texas American Federation of Teachers Texas American Federation of Teachers Provides mentoring and professional development Mobilizes members on 75 public and private campuses Email us Email us and in 29 campus chapters for action (13 new campus chapters launched in 2024) Helps faculty navigate policies, investigations, and grievances. Our Office of Faculty Representation is handling more than 40 cases statewide. Email us. Advocates at the Legislature with allied orgs, garnered bipartisan support in to amend SB18 to change tenure from one-year contracts to continuous employment, which protects all employment contracts; amend to SB 17; and stop the SB16 censorship bill Affiliated with the Texas American Federation of Teachers in March 2024 to amplify advocacy with its 66,000 members and 40+ staff and member benefits of $8M professional liability coverage and legal aid New registration link for Texas AAUP-AFT members Please join academic freedom enthusiasts on the third Thursday of the month at Tweedy s Bar (except December and July) near the UT Austin campus at 5pm for an AAUP social gathering.
Increasing membership involvement Discussion of member concerns and suggestions Solicitation of participation in committees Legislative advocacy Media Membership THANK YOU!
