AAUP Updates

AAUP’s First-Ever Political Slate Scores Historic Wins

AAUP News — Fri, 06 Nov 2026 12:00:00 +0000

In a decisive showing for the importance of higher education in national elections, AAUP-endorsed candidates secured victories in critical Senate and congressional races across the country.

AAUP and AFT Urge the Treasury to Withdraw Proposed Regulation

AAUP News — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 12:00:00 +0000

On Tuesday, the AAUP and the AFT submitted comments to the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service urging the withdrawal of proposed regulation on racial nondiscrimination in private schools along with a request to testify.

Trump Science Initiative Subordinates Common Good to Corporate Profit

AAUP News — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The AAUP’s Committee on Technology and Higher Education has released commentary warning that the Trump administration’s recently announced science initiative threatens to fundamentally alter the public foundations of US science research.

New Resource for Faculty Facing Weaponized Title VI Investigations

AAUP News — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom has developed and compiled resources, including a printable guide of faculty insights, to support those facing weaponized Title VI investigations that threaten academic freedom and discourage dissent.

See here for many more related resources.

Court Limits Trump Executive Order to Only Bar Discrimination Already Prohibited by Federal Law

AAUP News — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

In a decision arising from a lawsuit brought by the AAUP and allies, a court has limited the Trump executive order targeting DEI discrimination and federal contractors to only bar discrimination already prohibited by federal law.

AAUP Endorses Midterm Election Candidates

AAUP News — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The AAUP announced a slate of twelve national political endorsements for Senate and congressional races in the 2026 midterm elections.

AAUP Raises Concerns with SACSCOC Draft Principles

AAUP News — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

In a letter to Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and Universities (the Commission on Colleges and Universities) president Stephen Pruitt on SACSCOC’s draft principles, AAUP president Todd Wolfson highlighted concerns regarding issues of academic freedom, shared governance, intellectual diversity, and research integrity.

The letter noted that the AAUP is “deeply troubled by the new standard 25 on ‘intellectual pluralism,’ which includes ‘policies designed to support, promote, and prioritize intellectual diversity.’”

Victory for Academic Freedom on Campus in Rutgers Contract Fight

AAUP News — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The Rutgers AAUP unions have reached tentative agreement on an article guaranteeing academic freedom to everyone covered by the contract, including adjunct faculty and clinicians. It is fully enforceable and grievable and was won through the rank-and-file efforts of the Rutgers AAUP member-led Academic Freedom Committee. Rutgers AAUP members have been working for 100 days since their contract expired.

New Lawsuit Challenges Trump-Vance Administration Policies Threatening Green Card Applicants with Family Separation

AAUP News — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The AAUP and a coalition of allies filed a lawsuit today challenging two Trump–Vance administration policies that make it significantly harder or impossible for eligible immigrants already living in the United States to obtain as a green card without leaving the country.

Ending Campus Misogyny: Student Safety Over Brand Protection

AAUP News — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The AAUP stands with the Cornell AAUP chapter and share their outrage of the continued culture of misogyny and pervasiveness of violence against women at Cornell and at universities and colleges across the country.