AAUP
@aaup.org
The American Association of University Professors champions academic freedom, advances shared governance, and organizes faculty to ensure higher education's contribution to the common good.
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aaup.org
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Spring Core Skills Training — Organize Every Campus
AAUP will host Core Skills organizing training on Zoom in February. Register by January 20 .
www.organizeeverycampus.org
Don't miss out: join your fellow AAUP members to learn essential organizing skills that will strengthen your chapter in our Core Skills Training for the spring, a program part of our Organize Every Campus initiative.
Details for registering at link below 👇
Details for registering at link below 👇
Reposted by AAUP
Texas A&M abruptly cancels ethics course over race, gender policy.
Texas A&M cancels ethics course over race, gender policy
The university said content of the graduate course, which was already underway, was not adequately disclosed, forcing the cancellation. The professor disagrees.
www.texastribune.org
January 15, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Texas A&M abruptly cancels ethics course over race, gender policy.
Texas A&M canceled Dr. Bright’s Ethics in Public Policy course a day after he appeared on local television criticizing the institution’s banning of Plato & other academic texts.
@drleonardbright.bsky.social
#academicsky
@drleonardbright.bsky.social
#academicsky
Texas A&M Administrators Will Cancel Your Course If You Don’t Tell Them Exactly Where And What Its Race And Gender Parts Are* - Daily Nous
Texas A&M University (TAMU) administrators cancelled "Ethics in Public Policy," a graduate course in the university's Bush School of Government and Public Service, because they rejected as too vague i...
dailynous.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Texas A&M canceled Dr. Bright’s Ethics in Public Policy course a day after he appeared on local television criticizing the institution’s banning of Plato & other academic texts.
@drleonardbright.bsky.social
#academicsky
@drleonardbright.bsky.social
#academicsky
Reposted by AAUP
A federal judge says the administration has adopted "a fearful approach to freedom" in a new order to protect non-citizen academics, including those affiliated with @aaup.org, from retribution for a lawsuit defending the First Amendment rights of campus activists.
www.reuters.com/world/us-jud...
www.reuters.com/world/us-jud...
US judge to shield scholars who challenged deporting of pro-Palestinian campus activists
Describing President Donald Trump as an "authoritarian," a federal judge said on Thursday he will issue an order aimed at protecting academics who challenged the arrest and deportation of non-citizen,...
www.reuters.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:15 PM
A federal judge says the administration has adopted "a fearful approach to freedom" in a new order to protect non-citizen academics, including those affiliated with @aaup.org, from retribution for a lawsuit defending the First Amendment rights of campus activists.
www.reuters.com/world/us-jud...
www.reuters.com/world/us-jud...
Reposted by AAUP
The scale and speed of state censorship of campus really is amazing.
More than half of America's college students attend institutions in states that have passed laws censoring higher education since 2021.
From @penamerica.bsky.social
pen.org/report/ameri...
More than half of America's college students attend institutions in states that have passed laws censoring higher education since 2021.
From @penamerica.bsky.social
pen.org/report/ameri...
January 15, 2026 at 8:31 PM
The scale and speed of state censorship of campus really is amazing.
More than half of America's college students attend institutions in states that have passed laws censoring higher education since 2021.
From @penamerica.bsky.social
pen.org/report/ameri...
More than half of America's college students attend institutions in states that have passed laws censoring higher education since 2021.
From @penamerica.bsky.social
pen.org/report/ameri...
“We urge OU to publicly and unequivocally affirm the right of OU faculty and instructors to conduct teaching, grading, and research without political interference, unlawful mandates, or external pressures that hinder academic freedom.”
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
January 16, 2026 at 6:12 PM
“We urge OU to publicly and unequivocally affirm the right of OU faculty and instructors to conduct teaching, grading, and research without political interference, unlawful mandates, or external pressures that hinder academic freedom.”
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
Reposted by AAUP
We all need to be talking outside higher ed -- reaching the larger public. Local op-eds, articles, news segments, Instagram. Let's get the word out. Higher ed should be for everyone who wants it. Austerity, not faculty and staff, are gutting that.
It me again talking about how Kansas is aiming to gut higher education. I have some experience with that from @aaup.org investigation of Emporia State
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
Former Emporia State Pres. to “Find Waste” at Kansas Colleges
Kansas’s House speaker is planning to pay a former fraternity brother—and former Emporia State president—$50,000 for five months of consulting. His leadership of his own university was much criticized...
www.insidehighered.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:12 PM
We all need to be talking outside higher ed -- reaching the larger public. Local op-eds, articles, news segments, Instagram. Let's get the word out. Higher ed should be for everyone who wants it. Austerity, not faculty and staff, are gutting that.
On January 20, we walk out EVERYWHERE.
When leaders abuse power, we stop cooperating.
On Jan 20 @ 2 pm local time, we walk out to defend our future and our freedom.
Find an action near you at the link below.
Higher ed workers, let’s show up.
@womensmarch.com
#FreeAmericaWO
When leaders abuse power, we stop cooperating.
On Jan 20 @ 2 pm local time, we walk out to defend our future and our freedom.
Find an action near you at the link below.
Higher ed workers, let’s show up.
@womensmarch.com
#FreeAmericaWO
Free America Walkout
One year into Trump’s second regime, we face an escalating fascist threat: ICE raids on our communities, troops occupying our cities, families torn apart, attacks on our trans siblings, mass surveilla...
action.womensmarch.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:06 PM
On January 20, we walk out EVERYWHERE.
When leaders abuse power, we stop cooperating.
On Jan 20 @ 2 pm local time, we walk out to defend our future and our freedom.
Find an action near you at the link below.
Higher ed workers, let’s show up.
@womensmarch.com
#FreeAmericaWO
When leaders abuse power, we stop cooperating.
On Jan 20 @ 2 pm local time, we walk out to defend our future and our freedom.
Find an action near you at the link below.
Higher ed workers, let’s show up.
@womensmarch.com
#FreeAmericaWO
Reposted by AAUP
It me again talking about how Kansas is aiming to gut higher education. I have some experience with that from @aaup.org investigation of Emporia State
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
Former Emporia State Pres. to “Find Waste” at Kansas Colleges
Kansas’s House speaker is planning to pay a former fraternity brother—and former Emporia State president—$50,000 for five months of consulting. His leadership of his own university was much criticized...
www.insidehighered.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:50 PM
It me again talking about how Kansas is aiming to gut higher education. I have some experience with that from @aaup.org investigation of Emporia State
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
Reposted by AAUP
Academic expertise has a meaningful impact on health impacts, free speech, and consumer protection. 👇
"By Alan K. Chen*, *Thompson G. Marsh Law Alumni Professor, University of Denver* Colorado passed first-in-the-nation legislation requiring warning labels on gas stoves in June." #copolitics
Why are gas stove manufacturers pushing back against Colorado's new law?
If corporate interests undermine regulations, will we still be able to inform the public about commonsense steps to protect their health?
coloradosun.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Academic expertise has a meaningful impact on health impacts, free speech, and consumer protection. 👇
“It's disappointing to see universities fold under pressure to terminate faculty for expressing themselves online, as if the First Amendment is an expediency to be discarded at a whim.”
Professors fired for criticizing Charlie Kirk are returning to work
After Charlie Kirk's death, a wave of universities fired or censured staffers for criticizing him. Months later, some professors are returning.
www.usatoday.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:39 PM
“It's disappointing to see universities fold under pressure to terminate faculty for expressing themselves online, as if the First Amendment is an expediency to be discarded at a whim.”
Reposted by AAUP
PEN America joins a coalition of press-freedom and civil-liberties groups in a joint statement condemning the government invasion of the home of Washington Post journalist Hannah Natanson. www.freepress.net/news/31-pres...
31 Press-Freedom and Civil-Liberties Groups Condemn Government Invasion of Washington Post Reporter’s Home
31 press-freedom and civil-liberties groups published a join statement condemning the government invasion of the home of Washington Post journalist Hannah Natanson.
www.freepress.net
January 15, 2026 at 5:43 PM
PEN America joins a coalition of press-freedom and civil-liberties groups in a joint statement condemning the government invasion of the home of Washington Post journalist Hannah Natanson. www.freepress.net/news/31-pres...
Reposted by AAUP
My dedication to speak up for the importance of protecting academic freedom and higher education put a target on my back. Texas A&M has lost control of their narrative that they’re balancing education by censoring topics on race and gender. Now they are punishing the messengers. I’m one of them.
Texas A&M professor voices displeasure over cancellation of ethics class theeagle.com/news/a_m/art...
Texas A&M professor voices displeasure over cancellation of ethics class
Leonard Bright, a professor at Texas A&M, learned about his ethics class cancellation in an email sent to all students and staff in the Bush School on Wednesday.
theeagle.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:42 AM
My dedication to speak up for the importance of protecting academic freedom and higher education put a target on my back. Texas A&M has lost control of their narrative that they’re balancing education by censoring topics on race and gender. Now they are punishing the messengers. I’m one of them.
Reposted by AAUP
“The suspension of Mel Curth, a graduate instructor at the University of Oklahoma (OU), stemming from a grading dispute with a student, is an egregious violation of widely accepted principles of academic freedom and due process.”
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
National AAUP condemns suspension of OU graduate instructor for Bible-based essay grade
The American Association of University Professors issued a statement Thursday condemning OU for removing the graduate instructor who gave a failing grade to a student’s Bible-based essay.
www.oudaily.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:59 PM
“The suspension of Mel Curth, a graduate instructor at the University of Oklahoma (OU), stemming from a grading dispute with a student, is an egregious violation of widely accepted principles of academic freedom and due process.”
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
— Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
Reposted by AAUP
We are waiting for Judge Young's order in AAUP v. Rubio, but today he proposed a remedy that is small step forward. He said a remedy could be no ideological deportations for "noncitizens who are members of the @aaup.org and the Middle East Studies Association."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
Judge Proposes Restricting Deportation of Scores of Noncitizen Academics
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:39 AM
We are waiting for Judge Young's order in AAUP v. Rubio, but today he proposed a remedy that is small step forward. He said a remedy could be no ideological deportations for "noncitizens who are members of the @aaup.org and the Middle East Studies Association."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
"I tried to underline that throughout the course—in every reading & every case study, in current events, book reviews—race & gender will be central to this class. It appears to me that he wanted me to say, 'I'm just discussing it here' so they can limit or censor this."
—Leonard Bright, AAUP TAMU
—Leonard Bright, AAUP TAMU
Texas A&M Cancels Graduate Ethics Class in Course Review
Administrators say the professor teaching the course did not specify when and how race, gender and sexuality might come up in class. The professor says that would be impossible.
www.insidehighered.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:33 PM
"I tried to underline that throughout the course—in every reading & every case study, in current events, book reviews—race & gender will be central to this class. It appears to me that he wanted me to say, 'I'm just discussing it here' so they can limit or censor this."
—Leonard Bright, AAUP TAMU
—Leonard Bright, AAUP TAMU
In a week, Texas A&M goes from censoring Plato to canceling Dr. Leonard Bright's Ethics & Public Policy course on unfounded allegations it taught "race & gender ideology."
“The message was clear: Be very afraid, no one can save you from being censored at TAMU.”
— @drleonardbright.bsky.social
“The message was clear: Be very afraid, no one can save you from being censored at TAMU.”
— @drleonardbright.bsky.social
‘Censored’: Texas A&M cancels course under new ‘race and gender ideology’ policy
Texas A&M’s government and public service department alleges a professor refused to submit information about his class for review.
www.star-telegram.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:42 PM
In a week, Texas A&M goes from censoring Plato to canceling Dr. Leonard Bright's Ethics & Public Policy course on unfounded allegations it taught "race & gender ideology."
“The message was clear: Be very afraid, no one can save you from being censored at TAMU.”
— @drleonardbright.bsky.social
“The message was clear: Be very afraid, no one can save you from being censored at TAMU.”
— @drleonardbright.bsky.social
Reposted by AAUP
⭐️⭐️Several faculty members featured here from Texas, please read to learn more about their stories. ⬇️
pen.org/snapshots-of...
pen.org/snapshots-of...
Snapshots of Censorship Series
Snapshots of Censorship is written by faculty and students whose stories tell the personal impacts of censorship of research and teaching in higher education.
pen.org
January 15, 2026 at 6:26 PM
⭐️⭐️Several faculty members featured here from Texas, please read to learn more about their stories. ⬇️
pen.org/snapshots-of...
pen.org/snapshots-of...
Reposted by AAUP
Judge William Young already held that the Trump admin violated the First Amendment by arresting and trying to deport these students for their pro-Palestinian advocacy. Today he’ll consider @aaup.org & @mesa1966.bsky.social’s request for an injunction and other relief. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
Judge to Weigh Next Steps in Student Activist Deportations Case
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Judge William Young already held that the Trump admin violated the First Amendment by arresting and trying to deport these students for their pro-Palestinian advocacy. Today he’ll consider @aaup.org & @mesa1966.bsky.social’s request for an injunction and other relief. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
Reposted by AAUP
In 2025, educational censorship reached unprecedented heights as state and federal governments seek to restrict teaching and bend academic research to ideological whims. Read PEN America’s new report America’s Censored Campuses at: https://pen.org/report/americas-censored-campuses-25-web-of-control/
Expanding the Web of Control
Government censorship of free speech and academic freedom has reached unprecedented heights on U.S. campuses as lawmakers extend a web of political and ideological control over the sector.
pen.org
January 15, 2026 at 3:05 PM
In 2025, educational censorship reached unprecedented heights as state and federal governments seek to restrict teaching and bend academic research to ideological whims. Read PEN America’s new report America’s Censored Campuses at: https://pen.org/report/americas-censored-campuses-25-web-of-control/
Check out this report documenting censorship in higher education in the US. It chronicles record-breaking numbers of state bills that directly or indirectly censor classroom speech and an unprecedented federal campaign to exert ideological control over research, teaching, and campus life.
New PEN America Report Warns of Expanding Web of Control as Politicians Escalate Campaign to Censor U.S. Colleges and Universities https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-warns-of-expanding-web-of-control-as-politicians-escalate-campaign-to-censor-u-s-colleges-and-universities/
PEN America Warns of Expanding Web of Control as Politicians Escalate Campaign to Censor U.S. Colleges and Universities
A new PEN America report on the state of higher education warns of an alarming political web of control on state and federal levels
pen.org
January 15, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Check out this report documenting censorship in higher education in the US. It chronicles record-breaking numbers of state bills that directly or indirectly censor classroom speech and an unprecedented federal campaign to exert ideological control over research, teaching, and campus life.
Reposted by AAUP
This is the model that all of the state systems committing to the new accreditation agency are aiming for. No academic freedom, just pastyfaced admins taking their cues from Pizzagate randos.
January 15, 2026 at 1:18 AM
This is the model that all of the state systems committing to the new accreditation agency are aiming for. No academic freedom, just pastyfaced admins taking their cues from Pizzagate randos.
AAUP Portland State University secured a crucial win:
Admin will reinstate laid-off faculty & comply with an arbitration decision after violating @psuaaup.bsky.social's contract.
This win proves that higher ed unions are key to protecting faculty livelihood at our universities.
Read more here👇
Admin will reinstate laid-off faculty & comply with an arbitration decision after violating @psuaaup.bsky.social's contract.
This win proves that higher ed unions are key to protecting faculty livelihood at our universities.
Read more here👇
Portland State agrees to reinstate laid off faculty
Portland State University is reversing course and fully complying with an arbitration decision ordering the university to reinstate some faculty laid off in last year’s budget cuts.
www.opb.org
January 15, 2026 at 3:47 PM
AAUP Portland State University secured a crucial win:
Admin will reinstate laid-off faculty & comply with an arbitration decision after violating @psuaaup.bsky.social's contract.
This win proves that higher ed unions are key to protecting faculty livelihood at our universities.
Read more here👇
Admin will reinstate laid-off faculty & comply with an arbitration decision after violating @psuaaup.bsky.social's contract.
This win proves that higher ed unions are key to protecting faculty livelihood at our universities.
Read more here👇
Reposted by AAUP
Texas A&M sent this message to my students repeating a false claims that I declined to clarify the fact that my class address "race, gender, and sexuality." Here were my exact words:
"The topics of race, gender, and sexuality will be addressed throughout the course..."
Why involve the students?
"The topics of race, gender, and sexuality will be addressed throughout the course..."
Why involve the students?
January 14, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Texas A&M sent this message to my students repeating a false claims that I declined to clarify the fact that my class address "race, gender, and sexuality." Here were my exact words:
"The topics of race, gender, and sexuality will be addressed throughout the course..."
Why involve the students?
"The topics of race, gender, and sexuality will be addressed throughout the course..."
Why involve the students?
Reposted by AAUP
Here is the message TAMU sent to my entire college. My colleagues and students knew about the decision to cancel my Ethics class before me. This disrespect my Dean showed towards me was unwarranted.
The message was clear: Be very afraid. No one can save you from being censored at Texas A&M.
The message was clear: Be very afraid. No one can save you from being censored at Texas A&M.
January 14, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Here is the message TAMU sent to my entire college. My colleagues and students knew about the decision to cancel my Ethics class before me. This disrespect my Dean showed towards me was unwarranted.
The message was clear: Be very afraid. No one can save you from being censored at Texas A&M.
The message was clear: Be very afraid. No one can save you from being censored at Texas A&M.