About Us

1. The name of this organization is the University of Pittsburgh chapter of the American  Association of University Professors or, in brief, the Pitt AAUP. 

1. The purposes of this chapter are to:  

(a) Support the policies and goals of The Association as set forth in Article 1 of the  AAUP constitution and in all matters act in harmony with the principles and procedures  of The Association and its constitution;  

(b) Advocate for and defend academic freedom and free speech, shared governance,  and higher education more generally and uphold recommended AAUP policies and  principles on our campus and throughout academe.  

i. Academic freedom is the freedom of scholars to investigate and discuss the issues in  their academic fields and to teach and publish findings without interference from the  institution, the public, or other entities. Academic freedom protects the right to speak  freely when participating in institutional governance and as a citizen. These principles  apply to teaching, research, intramural speech, and extramural speech, within the  confines of professional competence, professional ethics, and collective responsibility. (For a full definition of academic freedom, see https://www.aaup.org/report/1940- statement-principles-academic-freedom-and-tenure-1970-interpretive-comments)  

ii. Faculty members also enjoy rights of free speech and expression as residents under  the Constitution of the United States of America; these rights are separate and distinct  from academic freedom.  

(c) Encourage faculty participation in shared governance at the University of Pittsburgh.  

(d) Collaborate with AAUP chapters around the country, including the national and state  organizations, to develop strategies to protect academic freedom, share AAUP  standards and policy statements, and generally advance the goals of the organization.  

(e) Develop necessary and proper chapter programs for the accomplishment of the  aforementioned purposes. 

2. In furtherance of the purposes described above, but not in limitation thereof, the  chapter shall have power to conduct studies; to disseminate statistics and other  information; to engage in appropriate fundraising activities; to conduct promotional  activities, including advertising and publicity, in or by any suitable manner of media; to  hold such property as is necessary to accomplish its purposes; and to employ  individuals to further its purposes under Article II. This chapter is organized and  operated for the above stated purposes, and for other nonprofit purposes. No part of its  assets, income, or profits shall be distributable to, or inure to the benefit of, any  individual, except in consideration of services rendered.  

3. Because University of Pittsburgh faculty are represented by the United Steelworkers,  these bylaws create an advocacy chapter of the AAUP. Pitt AAUP commits to  coordinating with USW 1088-4 on matters relating to academic freedom and free  expression as appropriate.  

1. Eligibility for membership in this chapter shall extend to all current and retired faculty  members and graduate students at the University of Pittsburgh who are national  members of the American Association of University Professors, except for associate  members. All chapter members may vote on chapter matters.

1. The officers of this organization shall be the president, vice president, and secretary treasurer. The term of office shall be two years.  

(a) President: The duties of the president shall include carrying out the policies of the  chapter, exercising general supervision over the activities of the chapter, and presiding  at meetings of the chapter and executive committee. The president or their designee  shall be the official spokesperson for the chapter. The president shall be a member ex  officio of all committees.  

(b) Vice President: The duties of the vice president shall include those usually  appertaining to the office and those delegated by the president. In the absence of the  president, the vice president shall serve in the president’s stead. The president may  designate the vice-president to serve in the President’s stead as an ex-officio member  of any committee.  

(c) Secretary-Treasurer: The duties of the secretary-treasurer shall include: 

i. keeping a record of all proceedings and correspondence of the chapter, including  meeting minutes;  

ii. certifying chapter delegates to the Association’s annual meeting;  

iii. preparing or overseeing the preparation of newsletters for distribution to the faculty if  such shall be desired;  

iv. maintaining official contact with the national and other associations. It shall be the  duty of the secretary-treasurer to provide the secretary-treasurer of the National  Association the names of the officers of the chapter and the chapter bylaws and to  conduct the correspondence of the chapter with the national secretary-treasurer.  

v. presiding, In the absence of the president and vice president, at meetings of the  chapter.  

vi. keeping an accurate record of all funds received and disbursed. At the request of the  executive committee, the treasurer shall prepare an annual chapter budget and report of  finances and submit them for approval.  

(d) Executive Committee Member at Large: The duties of the member at large shall include:

i. attending Executive Committee meetings;

ii. providing support for the other elected officers at busy times;

iii. sharing the administrative work of the Executive Committee, including attending AAUP national events, liaising with other chapters, etc.      

(e) The four elected officers shall serve as chapter delegates/alternates to AAUP meetings and any applicable AAUP state conference meetings.

2. Elections  

(a) In order to run for and to hold office, a member must be in good standing.  

(b) Nominations for officers shall be solicited from the membership at least one month  before the terms of officers expire. All members in good standing are eligible to vote.  

(c) Voting shall be by anonymous electronic ballot. A candidate must receive a majority  of votes to win.  

i. Voting shall be by ranked choice when there are more than two candidates for a  position. In case no candidate secures a majority, the candidate receiving the fewest  votes shall be eliminated and votes for that candidate redistributed to the voters’ second  (third, …) choice, until a candidate obtains a majority.  

(d) When an officer has resigned or is disqualified, the EC shall appoint a replacement.  If there is less than one year remaining in the term, no special action must be taken. If  more than one year remains, a special election shall be held to fill the vacancy. 

1. Executive Committee (EC)  

(a) The executive committee shall consist of the elected officers of the chapter.  

(b) The EC shall be empowered to act on behalf of the Chapter, in accordance with its  constitution and such direction as may be given by the and consistent with the policies  and principles of the AAUP, .  

(c) The EC shall have the power to act for the good of the chapter in emergency  situations, subject to review of the membership.  

(d) The president of the chapter shall chair the EC.  

(e) The EC shall be empowered to appoint such standing and special committees as it  may deem appropriate. It shall make necessary appointments to complete an unexpired  term of any officer.  

(f) The EC shall be the official organ of external communication for the chapter ; it may  issue statements and respond to media inquiries on behalf and in the name of the  chapter.  

(g) The EC shall coordinate closely with the leadership of USW 1088-4 to ensure that  we respect and support its role as the sole bargaining unit for University of Pittsburgh  faculty.  

2. Other Committees  

(a) The chapter may create additional standing and ad hoc committees as necessary to  promote the welfare of the chapter, as specified above. The chair and members of  these committees shall be appointed by the executive committee. 

1. Membership is limited to members of the AAUP.  

2. National membership dues must be paid directly to AAUP.  

3. The chapter may establish chapter dues through a secret ballot vote conducted  among members in good standing. 

1. The chapter shall hold regular in-person meetings at least once in the fall term and once in the spring term. Other meetings shall be organized as needed and may be in hybrid form or online. Except in extraordinary circumstances, the Secretary-Treasurer shall notify all members at least five days in advance of the meeting date.  

2. The quorum required for the transaction of business at all meetings of the chapter shall be 20 percent of the members.  

3. Any member present at a meeting may suggest that a matter being decided at that  meeting should be put to the membership at large. If at least three members or forty percent of members present (whichever is larger) agree, the matter shall be put to the  full membership for an electronic vote.

1. These bylaws may be amended by a vote of 60% of the members, provided that a  notice setting forth the proposed amendment or amendments, an explanation thereof,  and known objections thereto, shall have been sent to each member at least thirty days  prior to the vote.  

2. Any member of the chapter may propose an amendment to the Executive Committee. 

(a) If the Committee endorses the amendment, it will be put to a vote.  

(b) If the Committee does not endorse the amendment, it will proceed to a vote upon  receipt by the Secretary-Treasurer of a petition signed by 20% of the membership. An  email message from a verified email account qualifies as a “petition signature” for this  purpose.  

1. Although meetings are run by whatever process serves the ends of inclusive  discussion, careful deliberation, and informed voting, disputes about procedure shall be  resolved using Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, except where specified above.  

Enacted this 23rd day of May in the year 2025.

Last revised: 12 December 2025

Officers last installed 1 January 2026