Resource Directory
On this page, you’ll find resources and historical documents assembled by the AAUP-WC. If you have questions or concerns not addressed here, please reach out to the executive committee.
Unionization at Washington College
AAUP-WC believes our mission is best served when faculty have union protections. At present, we do not have contracts and have no legal protections to support shared governance. We’ve seen time and again how faculty are left out of essential decision-making about the future of the institution we serve. Our chapter, with the overwhelming support of the faculty, has now asked for voluntary recognition for the union three times and has been denied by administration each time. While AAUP-WC continues to advocate for faculty interests as an advocacy chapter, we will also continue to fight for union representation.
AAUP-WC’s 2020 Platform
Frequently Asked Questions about Unionization
Overview of Unionization Effort [forthcoming]
Advocacy at Washington College
Washington College’s AAUP Advocacy Chapter works on behalf of all teaching faculty for the protection of tenure, academic freedom, and shared governance.
The American Association of University Professors
National Organization Resources
AAUP is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancing academic freedom and shared governance. As a chapter organization, AAUP-WC has access to AAUP’s expertise, legal support, trainings on organizing, and much more.
Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities
On the Relationship of Faculty Governance to Academic Freedom
On Tenure
Statement on Academic Government for Institutions Engaged in Collective Bargaining
Faculty Unionization and the Continuing Contradiction of Yeshiva
Special Report: COVID-19 and Academic Governance
Faculty Communication with Governing Boards: Best Practices
AAUP Shared Governance Assessment Tool
The Role of Faculty in Budgetary and Salary Matters
Confidentiality and Faculty Representation in Academic Governance
Faculty Handbooks as Enforceable Contracts: A State Guide (updated 2023)
View AAUP’s Slides from the January 2025 Shared Governance Workshop
View AAUP’s Slides on ‘Shared Governance in Perilous Times’
Other Resources
The following resources about faculty / academic work may also be useful.
“Don’t Blame the Pandemic for Worker Discontent” by Kevin McClure (Chronicle)
“Explaining the 9-Month Contract” by Karen Kelsky (Chronicle)
“Protecting Shared Governance Through Collective Bargaining: Models Used by AAUP” by Michael Mauer
“Shared Governance Unionism and the Fight Against Austerity in the Age of COVID-19” by Johanna Foster and Marina Vujnovic (Academe)