Welcome to the  Western Carolina University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). This chapter seeks to promote the welfare of faculty, staff, and students at our institution and to advance the causes of academic freedom, employment conditions, current issues in higher education, and other objectives of the AAUP and members of our campus community. 

The WCU AAUP chapter began in 2025 as a way for members of the WCU community to voice concerns about issues that prevent us from doing the work that we care deeply about as professionals for the purpose of advocating for positive changes on our campus and beyond. Officially chartered in January 2026, this chapter strives to provide confidential space for faculty, staff, and students to bring issues that are upsetting and distressing to shape our advocacy and allow for the coordination of local, state, and national levels. This chapter also serves a social function with regular events to foster community building with members from different disciplines and employment designations. 

This Chapter works closely with North Carolina Conference of the AAUP, as well as leadership at other NC campus chapters of the AAUP to share resources, reach, and experience for the support of our campus community. If you are looking for a higher education community, being targeted unfairly by outside actors or university administrators, or have other concerns related to working in  higher education, join WCU AAUP to come to a meeting or send an email to wcuaaup1889@gmail.com.