Upcoming Events

Illinois Conference of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP)

The Illinois Conference of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is dedicated to supporting higher education faculty and advancing the foundational principles of academic freedom, shared governance, and tenure. Our mission is to protect the professional rights and responsibilities of faculty members while promoting excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, and institutional leadership.

The Illinois Conference works to ensure that faculty voices remain central to college and university decision-making processes. We advocate for the conditions that allow professors to teach, conduct research, engage with the public, and pursue scholarly inquiry free from undue political, ideological, or administrative interference. By strengthening faculty participation in governance and defending academic freedom, we help preserve the integrity and quality of higher education.

We invite you to join us for these important upcoming programs.

Upcoming Events

Friday, September 4, 2026

September 4, 2026

8:00am – 9:00am

Professor Leonard Bright

Friday, September 4, 2026, | 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Zoom webinar featuring Professor Leonard Bright, Professor of Public Service and Administration and AAUP Chapter President at Texas A&M University. Dr. Bright will provide an update on the current situation at Texas A&M University and discuss recent developments related to faculty governance, curriculum oversight, and academic freedom. This timely presentation will offer important insights into the challenges and issues facing higher education institutions today.

Join the zoom webinar here: Coming Soon

Thursday, September 17, 2026

September 17, 2026

4:00pm – 5:00pm

Geoffrey Stone and
Valerie C. Johnson

Thursday, September 17, 2026, | 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. “Academic Freedom and Constitutional Rights in a Time of Crisis”: A Constitution Day Discussion with Geoffrey Stone and Valerie C. Johnson.  Join us for a timely and engaging Constitution Day discussion featuring Professor Geoffrey Stone and Professor Valerie Johnson. We encourage departments, campuses, and local AAUP chapters to organize watch parties and engage colleagues, students, and community members in this important conversation about constitutional principles and higher education. 

Join the zoom webinar here: https://zoom.us/j/97752522948.

October 4-10, 2026

October 4-10, 2026

Various

Various

Banned Books Week is October 4-10, 2026. Many campuses, including North Central College, will be holding events. See the Chicago Banned Books Week site for a list of activities.


The National AAUP is also holding many online events. Anyone looking to bring a speaker to their campus to discuss academic freedom, shared governance, and other crucial higher education issues can utilize the Illinois AAUP Speakers Bureau.

For additional programs, resources, and future events, please visit the Illinois Conference AAUP website. We look forward to your participation and to working together to strengthen higher education, academic freedom, and shared governance throughout Illinois and beyond.

The Illinois AAUP Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure has issued many important recent statements:

The Illinois Conference was actively involved this spring in promoting Illinois Senate Bill 2202, the Academic Freedom of Expression Act, which did not advance to the floor, but we are optimistic that it will be taken up next year by the Illinois General Assembly.

Together, we can protect faculty rights, strengthen our institutions, and uphold the values that sustain higher education.

Illinois Conference Executive Board, Illinois AAUP