Higher Education Administrators and Membership

The Wesleyan University Chapter of the AAUP follows the bylaws and guidelines of the National AAUP to determine membership eligibility.

The AAUP defines “faculty” as all those whose appointments consist primarily of teaching or research activities conducted at a professional level, including tenure-track and non-tenure track faculty, full-time and part-time faculty, most librarians, research and teaching assistants, and postdocs. Those whose appointments are primarily administrative, rather than primarily teaching/research, are not eligible for membership in the AAUP. For instance, deans, associate deans, provosts, associate provosts, presidents, etc. are regarded as “administration,” regardless of whether they hold faculty rank. Staff who teach the occasional course are not faculty as defined by “primary” appointment; likewise, faculty whose primary responsibility has shifted from teaching toward administration/management are defined as “administration.”

The AAUP differentiates between faculty chairs and directors who are chosen by departmental election on a regular schedule and those appointed to their positions. Elected chairs are faculty, as they remain primarily accountable to the faculty. Chairs and directors who are appointed to their positions are regarded as administration.

The Wesleyan University Chapter of the AAUP welcomes all administrators who wish to support our mission to affiliate with the chapter as Associates (by joining the national organization). Affiliating as an associate is a valuable way to support the chapter and build solidarity.

If you have any questions about your status, please contact us. Please also write if your faculty/administrative status changes!