Read More About Susan

Why the union is important to me:

Referring to the mission statement on the AAUP website, the AAUP grants each of us academic freedom, as well as the benefits of shared governance and economic security. It ensures higher education’s contribution to the common good and brings professionals together for collective action when and if it is needed. It challenges the university when it violates norms of academic freedom, tenure, and shared governance. 

On a personal level, since I am undoubtedly going to reap the benefits of a union, now or in the future, I firmly believe that I need to do my share to support this organization. When I received an unfair and untruthful annual review letter several years ago, the union enabled me to challenge this letter, as well as the dean who wrote it, and quickly rectify the situation. 

As we face an uncertain political climate and related uncertain policies and procedures in academia, it is very reassuring to know that the union supports us with representation and, if needed, legal representation.

In my service as a new steward for the AAUP at URI, I look forward to consulting with faculty members when they encounter a question or challenge that may not merit their seeking advice or consultation with Jay Walsh, our URI union leader. I will advocate for fairness and equity for faculty members with whom I consult, answering their questions directly and referring them to a variety of university offices and services that will provide them with additional consultation on an individual basis.

Read More About Manbir

"Unions at Universities have a unique role. Unlike for-profit organizations, the performance of Universities cannot easily be measured. One dimension of a University's performance is the conditions it creates for its faculty - and the role of the Union in maintaining an enriching environment is vital."

Read More About Rebecca

"I am a Teaching Professor and the Director of the Film/Media Program. As I am serving my first term on the URI AAUP Executive Committee, I have been continuously amazed at all that the Union helps us to accomplish. The mission of the AAUP—and the central goals of advancing and protecting academic freedom and supporting and promoting shared governance-- is essential to secure our ability to ensure a productive present and future. As I learn more about the AAUP, I am eager to serve as a Steward and to help both full-time and contingent faculty to answer and address questions and to promote the many benefits of membership in the AAUP."

Read More About Melanie

"I try not take the union for granted. Recently I found myself chatting with a friend who works at another university and she wasn’t sure what her university’s policy was for maternity leave. I said to her – why don’t you speak to someone from the union? But she didn’t have one, so I realized that she was on her own to navigate a plan and work with her chair and dean. Which is not an easy prospect, especially for a junior faculty member.

The union is important to me as a resource – to help explain the contract, and direct me towards existing university policies, office, and services that could be of use. Especially for junior faculty, we aren’t always sure what we are entitled to, and we might be reluctant to speak up. It’s great know that the union is there for information or if something ever goes wrong.

On a separate note, I also strongly agree with the AAUP national organization’s commitment to protect democratic access to higher education, especially in this era of diminishing public support for higher education." 

Read More About Miriam

Miriam Reumann is a Teaching Professor in the History department and  President of the URI/AAUP. She views union membership and representation as important not only for shared governance and academic freedom for all, but as a vital resource for protecting faculty who are off the tenure track.  As a contingent faculty member, she is especially interested in hearing from and representing the interests of other lecturers regarding workload, URI’s promotion ladder, and any other contingency issues that they might wish to discuss with a steward. 

Read More About Julia

"The strength of our union is a great aspect of being on the faculty here at URI. As a steward
for AAUP, I aim to stay informed of the contract and serve as a resource for faculty members
with questions or concerns."