Welcome to Fall 2017

Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of your Akron-AAUP, I would like to welcome everyone to the 2017-2018 academic year. I hope you all had a relaxing and restorative summer, and that you’re rejuvenated and ready for a new academic year.
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) recently released a statement in response to the events that took place on the University of Virginia campus August 19-20. The Akron-AAUP agrees wholeheartedly with this statement, and we encourage you to read it if you have not already done so.
As a collective bargaining chapter of AAUP, Akron-AAUP is committed to fighting for the rights of all faculty and students to exchange ideas freely—this is the heart of the academic mission of this and every university. Academic freedom can only be exercised in an environment free of hate speech and intimidation. In order to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for our campus community, we must confront and reject racism, hate and bigotry; we must never remain silent or complicit in the face of its corrosive influence.

Important work lies ahead of us, and we need your involvement. I would like to remind you all that September is the time to elect department liaisons. Liaisons are an essential link between individual units and the Executive Committee, and indeed two liaisons – currently, Kevin Kern and Amy Dreussi – are voting members of the EC.
Once again, Akron-AAUP is sponsoring “Faculty First Friday,” and we invite you to join us Friday, September 1st, at The Lockview at 5:00PM. As before, the first drink is on us (find Néna Roy there – she will have the drink coupons).
Finally, the Akron-AAUP is a membership organization, but we represent all UA bargaining unit faculty. You should never hesitate to contact us if you believe that your contractual rights are being violated or if you are concerned about how you are being treated in your job. Our Grievance Committee – Russ Davis ([email protected]) and Rob Schwartz ([email protected]) – is just an email or phone call (AAUP Office: x 6131) away.
Hoping to see you on Friday,
Pam Schulze
Akron-AAUP President