Our Mission

The mission of the University of Michigan chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is to advance academic freedom and shared governance at the University of Michigan; to ensure robust due process for faculty under any kind of accusation or investigation; to discuss and manage tensions between academic freedom and pedagogical responsibility; to define fundamental professional values and standards; to promote the economic security of all those engaged in teaching and research at the university; to help the university community organize to make our goals a reality; and to ensure the University of Michigan’s contribution to the common good.

Our History

University of Michigan faculty have participated in the AAUP since its founding in 1915. When, in 1953, the University suspended three members of the faculty — Chandler Davis, Clement Markert, and Mark Nickerson — who had refused to testify before a subcommittee of the House Un-American Activities Committee, UM AAUP chapter members were active in protesting. Markert was reinstated, but Davis and Nickerson were ultimately dismissed. In 1957, the national AAUP censured the university for its treatment of the faculty members. This episode led to the creation of UM Bylaw 5.09, which requires due process before tenure-track faculty can be dismissed.

In August, 2021, in response to a range of challenges to academic freedom and shared governance both at the University of Michigan and nationally, the UM chapter of the AAUP was revived.

The AAUP

Founded in 1915 by Arthur Lovejoy and John Dewey, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is the foremost organization advancing academic freedom and shared governance at institutions of higher education in the United States. The AAUP is a nonprofit membership association of academic professionals.

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