AAUP

Mss 7 - American Association of University Professors (AAUP).
North Dakota State University (NDSU) Chapter (1927 - ) Records, 1939-1996.
1.6 linear ft.

History

The NDSU Chapter of the AAUP was organized and a constitution was adopted on December 9, 1927, with a membership of 36. The National AAUP was founded in 1915 to advance the ideals and standards of the academic profession. It is a national organization with chapter membership being optional. The chapter appoints several standing committees (Executive Committee, Academic Freedom and Tenure, Membership, Program, Economic Affairs) as well as others on special topics (Retirement, Constitution, Research, Publicity). The research these subjects and report back to the membership.

The chapter's activities include monthly meetings, programs, lecture series and dinners. In the mid 1950s the AAUP became involved in a controversy between President Hulz and four chapter members, who were dismissed. During the 1960s and 1970s the main interests of the chapter have been faculty welfare (academic freedom and tenure, salaries, etc.); the organization and planning of programs, special meetings and events; and regional and national meetings and reports.

Scope and Content

The AAUP, NDSU Chapter records consist of local and national AAUP constitutions, meeting minutes, correspondence, a series on the controversy of 1954-1955 and subject files.

The Meeting Minute Series included both chapter and Executive Committee minutes, which are arranged chronologically within each group. Chapter meeting minutes include one meeting from 1948 and are fairly complete from 1952-1976. Executive Committee meeting minutes cover 1956-1973 and are incomplete. Occasional months and years are missing including 1957, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1969, 1971. The minutes give a fairly good record of chapter activities - documenting some important issues and events, the controversy of he mid 1950s.

The Correspondence Series consists of both incoming and outgoing correspondence. It is divided into three categories: Chapter President, Corresponding Secretary, and General correspondence. Each category is arranged chronologically. The Presidential Correspondence covers 1952-1976 and is incomplete, with 1956-57, 1959-60, 1971 and 1974 missing. This correspondence is mainly with members, campus offices, and the national office. The Corresponding Secretary's correspondence covers 1953-1967 and is fairly complete, except for 1960 and 1961, which are missing. The secretary is the main correspondent of the chapter and deals with the national office and the public. General correspondence includes one letter from 1939, then covers 1949-1978. It is fairly complete, except for 1974-1978. This category includes correspondence among members, committees, and outside parties, Much of the correspondence contains enclosures and reports. These have been kept intact and duplicates of the enclosures may be available, especially for the 1954 controversy.

The 1954 Controversy Series deals with the events of 1953-1956. President Hultz fired four tenured faculty members in 1954. The local AAUP chapter played an important role and kept extensive records, since all four faculty members were members of the AAUP and their tenure rights had been threatened. Records include the charges and replies, various statements and reports on the issue, and notes on the hearings. Additional information can be found in meeting minutes, correspondence and newspaper clippings.

The Subject File Series includes many different topics. The major subject covered is Academic Freedom and Tenure, which is one of the main concerns of the chapter. Also important are the various Faculty Welfare issues, such as faculty salaries and economics. Newspaper clippings are extensive, and cover the 1954 Controversy in detail, as well as later activities,

Presented by Harold J. Klosterman & Pat O'Connor - March 23, 1973 & September 24, 1977
Processed by Julie Nystul, May 25, 1984; rev. March 2004