As you know, the Kent State faculty have been represented for 30+ years by the KSU chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP-KSU). At the national level, the AAUP is known for its work in protecting faculty against attacks on tenure and academic freedom, as well as for promoting positive academic values and shared governance.

The local chapter of AAUP serves as your “union” with responsibility for negotiating the terms and conditions of employment for all full-time faculty at KSU’s eight campuses. The Collective Bargaining Agreement that is negotiated every three years for all full-time faculty encompasses a wide array of salary and benefit provisions, grievance and appeal procedures, and outlines the fundamental principles for shared governance at Kent State at the department, school, college, and campus levels.

While you are not required to be a member of AAUP-KSU, we hope that you will consider that option. Members provide ideas, leadership and financial support to the organization. Membership also entitles you to an active voice in determining the issues and priorities established for negotiations and to voting rights with regard to contract issues and representation on the AAUP-KSU Council, which is our governing board. It is important to note that if you choose not to become a member of AAUP-KSU, you will still pay a representation fee towards its support. Membership forms and a FAQ sheet detailing the advantages to membership can be found on this website.

We are pleased to continue our tradition of service to faculty, and we hope to hear from you with your comments, concerns and suggestions for the future of the Association. Feel free to contact us – we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Lee Fox
Chapter President