Ohio University professors organized yesterday to discuss the formation of a chapter of the American Association of University Professors.
Yesterday's meeting focused on OU professors and their relationship with the administration, particularly regarding matters of salary, health care and the organization of a representative committee.
The general purpose of the meeting was to create conversation about the future of the University and the role of the faculty in it
said Kevin Mattson, a history professor. He and Joseph Bernt, a journalism professor, hosted the meeting alongside Richard Moser, a representative from the National AAUP.
A crowded room of concerned professors discussed issues such as decreases in salary, postponement of health care benefits, budget transparency and general faculty-to-administrative relationships.
Professors also talked about the future of OU professors' strengthened role in AAUP activities and how to go about improving the overall situation of OU professors.
Bernt said he was thrilled with the turn out. People feel that this was a good meeting he said.
He said more meetings in the future will continue faculty discussion and develop strategies that will gradually develop a core organization. No location or date has been set for future meetings.
Marina Walchli from the School of Dance said the meeting helped to create a clearer idea on making our voice heard more loudly than in previous years.
According to the AAUP Web site, www.aaup.org, the organization's purpose is to advance academic freedom and shared governance to define fundamental professional values and standards for higher education and to ensure higher education's contribution to the common good.
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