News from AFT Higher Ed Archive

AFT President Randi Weingarten and American Association of University Professors President Todd Wolfson sent a “welcome back to campus” letter to AFT and AAUP activists and affiliate leaders. In it, they reflect on what our members and affiliates have accomplished through the “Higher Education: Saving Lives, Building Futures, Powering the Economy” campaign, from a successful federal lobby day to important legal wins protecting federal funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs and safeguarding academic freedom. “We are not powerless,” they write. “And we are not standing still. Over the past year, hundreds of thousands of us have begun building something different: a national movement to defend higher education and fight for the colleges and universities our students, our communities and our democracy deserve.”  

The public debate around higher education largely “focuses on professors’ politics instead of the structural decisions that have made higher education more expensive, less democratic and less accessible,” writes Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors. This imbalance conveniently vilifies professors even as states are reducing public investment in higher education while weakening curriculum, academic freedom and faculty governance.

As the administration stonewalls, Ohio University faculty fight for a first contract

In March 2025, 800 tenure-line, instructional and clinical faculty at Ohio University voted overwhelmingly to join the AFT and AAUP, forming the United Academics of Ohio University. Now their challenge is making the university honor that vote and get serious about bargaining a first contract. UAOU is heading into the new school year bent on redoubling its efforts for a fair contract, including a major rally on Sept. 9. “We’re really ready to ramp up this fall,” says John O’Keefe, UAOU communications director.  

Training prepares members to respond to ICE on campus and in communities

Significant changes to the higher education accreditation process are being proposed. To learn about the proposed changes and explore how members can make their voices heard during the current public comment period, join AFT Higher Education on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 4 p.m. EDT. This is our first “office hours” session of fall 2026 and will feature guest speaker Wesley Whistle, project director of Student Success and Affordability at New America. The session’s main focus will be on how to submit comments and how to encourage others to submit theirs too. Click here to register.

Celebrating a first contract for Baltimore City Community College faculty

Faculty at Baltimore City Community College—who are represented by United Academics of Maryland, an affiliate of AFT Maryland—just ratified their first-ever contract after more than a year and a half of negotiations. The contract includes a $1,000 bonus in the first year, wage increases of at least 8.25 percent over the three-year life of the contract, clear criteria for promotions, and protections to ensure faculty keep their union if there is a merger or reduction in force.

• AFT and AAUP on Department of War Directive Targeting 30 Universities.
• Tell Congress: Restore the promise of Public Service Loan Forgiveness!
• Sign up for our next debt clinic.