higher-education – Vanderbilt University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors

VU AAUP Releases Statement Against the BoT’s “Declaration” and the Dept. of Education’s “Call”

On June 29, 2026, the Vanderbilt Board of Trust published online A “Declaration of First Principles,” and on August 3, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education released a “National Call to Action to University Presidents and Governing Boards.” We respond as Vanderbilt faculty. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Vanderbilt University Chapter of the American Association ofContinue reading “VU AAUP Releases Statement Against the BoT’s “Declaration” and the Dept. of Education’s “Call””

Faculty at Vanderbilt and Washington University respond to “State of the Scholarship” report

In June 2026, the administrations at Vanderbilt University and Washington University at St. Louis in St. Louis released a “State of the Scholarship” report criticizing scholarship in the humanities and humanistic social sciences. We respond as faculty in a joint statement with the AAUP of Washington University. The Vanderbilt University and Washington University chapters ofContinue reading “Faculty at Vanderbilt and Washington University respond to “State of the Scholarship” report”

Vanderbilt Faculty Senate Votes Overwhelmingly to Oppose Trump Loyalty Oath

The Vanderbilt Faculty Senate overwhelmingly passed a resolution opposing President Trump’s proposed “Compact for Excellence in Higher Education.” The resolution, citing concerns over academic independence and potential legal violations, calls for the Chancellor and Board of Trust to reject the compact. Faculty and students actively demonstrated against it, showing broad community opposition.

Statement by the Vanderbilt AAUP Executive Committee on the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education”

Vanderbilt’s AAUP chapter stands firmly against Trump’s “Compact,” which aims to control nearly every aspect of university operations. The compact contravenes federal law and violates faculty rights. We urge the Vanderbilt leadership to completely reject this Trump loyalty oath.

AAUP/AFT: Universities Must Reject Trump Admin “Loyalty Oath” Compacts

The AAUP and AFT urge all college and university governing boards, campus administrations, academic disciplinary organizations, and higher education trade groups to reject such collusion with the Trump administration and to stand firmly on the side of free expression and higher education as the anchor of opportunity for all.