We hope you are staying safe in this time of crisis. We plan on sending these updates on a biweekly basis.
New FAQs on AAUP Principles and Standards for the COVID-19 Crisis
The coronavirus pandemic has posed serious challenges for faculty members and their institutions. While its scope and severity is unprecedented in recent memory, this crisis is not the first that the Association has had to address in its 105 years. As the authors of the AAUP’s 2007 report on mass terminations at five New Orleans universities in the wake of Hurricane Katrina pointed out, “Relevant AAUP-supported policies . . . are sufficiently broad and flexible to accommodate even the inconceivable disaster.” The AAUP’s Department of Academic Freedom, Tenure, and Governance has developed guidance derived from AAUP policy documents for faculty members as they assert their proper role in institutional governance during this challenging time.
Donating Personal Protective Equipment
We encourage faculty to donate personal protective equipment (PPE) from idle labs. Some AAUP members are on the front lines of fighting the pandemic; affiliated chapters accepting donations include AAUP medical school and health center members at University of Connecticut Health Center (donate here), the Biomedical and Health Sciences of New Jersey (donate here), and Wayne State University, where you can donate by sending or dropping PPEs to Wayne State/Detroit Medical Center: Harper University Loading Dock, 3990 John R Street, Detroit, MI 48201. You may also make donations by reaching out to your local or state emergency operations center.
Statement on Equity and Teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic
We have added Tenure for the Common Good’s “Statement on Equity and COVID-19” to our AAUP coronavirus resources page. This statement includes recommendations on equity of resources, assistance, and protections against financial and professional damage for faculty in contingent positions and graduate student employees. Here’s the direct link to the statement.
AAUP Facebook Group for Discussions of COVID-19
To facilitate wider discussion of the rapidly changing landscape of higher education during the current crisis, we’ve created a Facebook group where members can discuss questions, plans, and tactics with a group of their peers.
Until next time. Remember to check our Facebook page and our COVID-19 resource page for updates.
In solidarity,
Julie Schmid
Executive Director, AAUP
AAUP@FHSU 