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The Tennessee Conference of the American Association of University Professors Advancing Academic Freedom and Shared Governance, Defining Fundamental |
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TAAUP Constitution Agenda from Past Meetings Advocacy Toolkit Minutes.htm Resources Newsletter Archive Tennessee AAUP Foundation What TAAUP Does The Tennessee Conference of the AAUP provides services to its constituent colleges and universities and to the state as a whole, and strives to protect the rights of all faculty members in Tennessee public and private institutions, whether they are full-time or adjunct, tenured, tenure track, or non-tenure track. We attempt to help government officials, the media and the general public understand the importance of higher education in helping students become more competitive in a global economy and more capable of exercising their rights and responsibilities as citizens, and to convey the vital role that faculty plays in achieving those goals. Conference Officers President, Tennessee AAUP Conference: Máté Wierdl, University of Memphis, Department of Mathematical Sciences Wierdlmate@gmail.com Past President, Tennessee AAUP Conference: Vice President, Four-Year Public Universities: Vice President, Community Colleges: David Johnson, Volunteer State Community College Vice President, Contingent Faculty: Vacant Vice President, Private Universities: |
Tennessee Education Association President Tanya Coats Speaks to the Tennessee Conference of the AAUP
Thanks to Professor Coats, President of the Tennessee Education Association, for an informative and inspiring talk at TAAUP's Spring Meeting April 25 at TEA headquarters in Nashville. After her talk, the following named candidates were voted in by acclamation, and the proposed amendment to our constitution establishing a Vice President for Historically Black Colleges and Universities was approved.Seeking NominationsDear Tennessee AAUP Conference Member,It’s not too late. But our time is running out. Please consider volunteering for the Tennessee Conference of the AAUP in order to save our profession— teaching and research in higher education— a key component of democracy! Ten days ago, April 16, 2026, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed legislation (HB 2194) that significantly alters academic tenure at public universities, enabling easier termination and discipline of tenured professors. The law strips away traditional peer reviews for faculty misconduct, allowing administrators to bypass standard procedures and giving them greater authority over staffing decisions. You can make a difference. Even if you missed the spring meeting of TN AAUP (April 25) you can still volunteer (and vote). We seek a *secretary * president * Vice President of 4 year Public Universities We also seek members of standing committees: *publicity/promotion committee (advertise/promote AAUP in the state of TN) * Historically Black College/University (HBCU) committee (to support proposed new VP of HBCUs) *website committee (planning redesign of website TAAUP.org but hiring web designer) *Tenure in Tennessee Committee (to support tenure in Tennessee) * Revision of Constitution of TN AAUP committee (revise Constitution) Please reply to jamquail@gmail.com See TAAUP.org for duties of officers. For an officer position you can also fill out a ballot. If you did not attend the April 25 meeting you can still also vote for officers (and for modifying our Constitution of the Tennessee Conference) by submitting a mail-in ballot (and write/in yourself or someone else who is willing to run as a candidate) but please also email your (self) nomination to Dr. McQuail, acting secretary. Deadline for mail in ballots is (postmark) May 5. Please act NOW to protect our profession! Summary of Governor Lee’s Tenure Bill (effective July 1, 2026): Aspects of the New Tennessee TenureReduced Protection: The law, sponsored by Rep. Jason Zachary and Sen. Adam Lowe, allows for faster termination of tenured faculty by university leadership, aiming to increase faculty accountability. Elimination of Procedures: It deletes specific statutory sections (TCA § 49-8-303) that previously outlined strict, long-standing hearing procedures for removing tenured faculty. Administrative Authority: University administrators can now handle disciplinary actions without required peer review, shifting power away from faculty senates. "Uniform" Policies: The legislation compels governing boards to make disciplinary policies uniform for both tenured and non-tenured faculty, diminishing the special status of tenure.Reaction: Supporters argue this increases accountability, while critics, including faculty leaders, fear it weakens academic freedom and complicates efforts to retain and recruit staff. This legislation is considered part of a broader, ongoing effort by Tennessee lawmakers to reshape the higher education tenure system in the state. Taaup.org is our current website and a resource and depository of the Tennessee Conference of the AAUP history. If you have questions feel free to email me and other conference officers in the cc: above. More about Nominations For those NOT present at the Spring AAUP meeting, who are members in good standing, we invite you to mail in a ballot: Ballot should be postmarked by May 5th and received by May 12th. Please follow instructions EXACTLY to make sure your ballot counts. See y'all soon!
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Resources on Tenure We can think of tenure as one leg of a three-legged stool. The other two legs are academic freedom and shared governance. Follow the link for Dr. Lutz' recommended resources about tenure. | ||
Until his retirement, Tennessee Tech University (TTU) professor of History Patrick Reagan was very active in campus affairs and an active member of the TTU chapter of AAUP. We at the Tennesssee Conference of the AAUP are sad to announce that Dr. Reagan, husband of Reilly and father of Daniel and John, passed away Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, after a long illness. His wife Reilly asks for prayers for Daniel and John as they deal with the loss of their father.