AAUP Field Staff, comp. AAUP Handbook. [Washington, DC: AAUP, 1994, 1995.] 4-9.

Committee A

Shortly after the AAUP was founded in 1915, its leading members were confronted with several cases in which the academic freedom of professors was threatened. Investigating teams were dispatched to gather and analyze the facts and issues in each case, and to prepare a report for the profession. Later, the AAUP also joined with the Association of American Colleges in 1940 to draft the "Statement on Principles of Academic Freedom And Tenure." This statement, which sets forth the principle that tenure is the best protection for the academic freedom and economic security of professors, has served as the foundation of a variety of additional statements and interpretive comments which provide a comprehensive system of peer review and academic due process. These policy statements and reports are gathered together in the Association's Redbook.

When a faculty member believes his or her rights as an academic have been infringed, he or she may seek the advice and assistance of the Association. A member of the professional staff will appraise the relevant evidence. A "complaint" becomes a "case" when the General Secretary or staff designee expresses the Association's concern to a college or university administration, usually with a recommendation for corrective action. A case may be opened when the information available to the staff permits a reasonable inference of a significant departure from principles or procedural standards supported by the Association. This procedure for opening a case applies to the entire range of Committee A complaints and reflects the judgment that there is an adequate basis for asking the university to provide a valid explanation.

If a serious case is not resolved through mediative efforts, the staff can recommend to the General Secretary that an investigation be authorized. The degree of importance of the principles and procedural standards at issue in a particular case, the degree of seriousness of the case itself, and the utility of an investigation and a potential published report are major factors in a decision by the General Secretary to authorize an investigation by an ad hoc committee. That committee, through a study of the material developed in the case and on- site investigation, then files a report with Committee A, which determines whether or not the report is to be published in Academe. Committee A also considers when censure of an institution's administration is appropriate, based on the investigating committee's report, and can recommend the imposition of censure to the Annual Meeting.

The professoriate is thereby warned of the failure of an institution's administration to follow accepted professional standards relating to academic freedom and tenure. To be removed from the list of censured administrations, an institution must satisfy Committee A that it has (1) provided remedy to those who suffered when it violated AAUP principles, and (2) developed standards and procedures which will enhance academic freedom and preclude the possibility of future violation. If these conditions are met, the Annual Meeting may remove censure.

Committee A meets twice annually and is supported by the work of several professional and administrative staff members located in the Washington office. Many of the principles and standards developed by Committee A and endorsed by the Association have been negotiated into collective bargaining contracts.

Committee B on Professional Ethics

Just as the Association is interested in protecting faculty rights in matters of academic freedom, tenure and due process, the Association is also concerned about promoting ethical behavior within the profession. Committee B on Professional Ethics develops policy statements relating to the responsibility of faculty members in carrying out their teaching and research with due regard for ethical standards. The Redbook contains a section on "Professional Ethics."

Committee C on College and University Teaching, Research and Evaluation

Committee C on College and University Teaching, Research and Publication develops policy in these areas of concern to all faculty. The committee has set standards for faculty workload, for use of instructional television, teaching evaluation, and the faculty member's responsibility in conducting government-sponsored research.

Committee D on Accrediting of Colleges and Universities

Since the accreditation of colleges and universities is essential to quality in higher education, the Association has a standing committee, Committee D, which monitors the accreditation process. The Association believes that faculty members should play a major role in the accreditation process.

Committee F on Chapters, Conferences, Members, and Dues

The AAUP is a membership organization. Most of its membership consists of active teaching faculty, although some former active members become associate members when they enter the ranks of administration. There are also membership categories for emeritus faculty, graduate students and public members. Committee F recommends policy on membership in the Association, recommends dues categories and sets policy for chapters and conferences with regard to membership.

Subcommittee on Conferences

Because of the vital work of the state conference, the Association has established a Subcommittee on Conferences to oversee the operation of this aspect of the Association. The Subcommittee annually recommends the amount of money each conference should be granted based on reports and requests from the various conferences.

Committee H on the History of the Association

Committee H on the History of the Association preserves and analyzes the historical records of the AAUP.

Committee I on Association Investments

All organizations must invest their funds wisely in order to obtain the highest possible return. Committee I on Investments monitors the investments portfolio of the Association and recommends investment policy to the Executive Committee and the Council.

Committee L on the Historically Black Institutions and the Status of Minorities in the Profession

Because many of our historically black institutions have special concerns and needs, the Association maintains a standing committee, Committee L, to deal with these concerns and needs. Committee L is currently developing a grant proposal to provide assistance to faculty in historically black institutions in developing improved methods for faculty participation in governance at these institutions.

Committee N on Representation of Economic and Professional Interests

Committee N on Representation of Economic Interest of the Profession develops policy for the Association regarding collective bargaining activities. Because the AAUP is the only organization devoted strictly to the concerns of higher education, Committee N has played a major role in developing the unique AAUP model for collective bargaining for higher education faculty in the United States.

Committee O on Organization

Committee O evaluates proposed changes in the structure of the AAUP, especially amendments to the Constitution. It also makes recommendations at least every ten years about the geographical limits of the ten Council districts and makes proposals to keep AAUP within the letter of various federal laws that regulate organizations. (There is also an ad hoc Committee on the Structure of the Association that has been charged with making recommendations about the overall structure of the organization and its operations.)

Committee R on Government Relations

Committee R analyzes bills before the U.S. House of Representatives and the United States Senate and recommends Association policy with regard to the proposed pieces of legislation. Members of the committee have testified on Capitol Hill on matters of great concern to the higher education community. Because the actions of the past administrations and Congress have been so detrimental to higher education, the AAUP has been particularly active in its government relations program recently, and it will continue this activity in the future. Because higher education in the United States is so profoundly affected by what goes on in the nation's capital and in state capitals around the country, the Association maintains a strong lobbying presence, both in Washington and in many states around the country.

Committee T on College and University Government

In addition to its concern in protecting academic freedom and tenure, the Association is vitally concerned about faculty participation in governance in higher education institutions. Committee T on College and University Governance develops policy in the area of faculty participation in governance activities. Since 1916, the Association has been concerned with ensuring meaningful faculty participation in institutional governance. Committee T on College and University Government composed its first statement on the subject in 1920, emphasizing the importance of faculty involvement in personnel decisions, selection of administrators, preparation of the budget, and determination of educational policies. Refinements were introduced in 1938 and 1958-64, and efforts toward a joint statement began in 1963, first with the American Council on Education and then also with the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. The culmination of these efforts was the 1966 "Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities." This statement, with its call for shared responsibility among the different components of institutional government and its specification of areas of primary responsibility for governing boards, administrations, and faculties, remains the Association's central policy document relating to academic governance. It has been supplemented over the years by a series of derivative policy statements, including those on budgetary and salary matters, financial exigency, the selection, evaluation, and retention of administrators, institutional mergers and acquisitions, and the faculty status of college and university librarians. Over the past few years members of Committee T have worked closely with the chairpersons of Committee N and the CBC in a series of issues concerning collective bargaining and faculty governance.

Committee V on Junior and Community Colleges

Although faculty at all institutions of higher education face similar problems for the most part, faculty at two-year institutions do have some unique concerns. The Association, therefore, has a standing committee, Committee V on Junior and Community Colleges. Committee V works with faculty at two year institutions to solve problems on such campuses.

Committee W on the Status of Women in the Academic Profession

Committee W on the Status of Women in the Academic Profession conducts studies in areas of concern to women faculty members. Committee W also develops policy with regard to women in the teaching profession. Committee W has developed policy statements on equity in pay for women faculty, sexual harassment, and affirmative action guidelines.

Committee Y on Taxation

This committee includes tax law experts who make recommendations to the Council and other committees about tax issues and legislation before Congress.

Committee Z on The Economic Status

Each year the AAUP publishes the definitive faculty and salary compensation survey for the United States. Committee Z on the Economic Status of the Profession oversees the production of this annual survey. It also undertakes studies in the area of faculty fringe benefits.