Annual Meeting

We started the annual meeting with small-group coffee talk, reflecting on our five-year aspirations for higher ed and on our personal skills that support building collective power. Belle illustrated the structure of our state conference before highlighting current threats to higher ed in NC and our recent collective action to build power. Belle celebrated achievements from each active chapter and recognized campuses with at-large members and (re)developing chapters.

Stephen and Mark—board members of the NC AAUP Foundation—noted the foundation’s recent work, asked for tax-deductable donations from all who could contribute, and solicited nominations for an open leadership position on the board.

Belle underscored the grant support our state conference and chapters have received from AAUP, AAUP Foundation, and NC AAUP Foundation. Sara then provided the AAUP NC Financial Summary for 2025 and the categorized AAUP NC expenditures for the first three months of 2026.

David (NCSU) and Conor (App State) shared lessons from their chapters over the last year. Each AAUP NC working group—Accreditation / CPHE, Working Immigration Group, UNC System Policy, and Fundraising—shared their current focus and how members could participate.

Todd (AAUP National) joined our annual meeting to share the current priorities for AAUP National, including the recently unveiled Blueprint for Strengthening and Transforming Higher Ed (co-developed with AFT). We then broke into smaller groups by region / chapter to discuss priorities for the next year and next five years; we also discussed ways AAUP NC could support that work.

After our break, Aarushi (Davidson) and Karen (UNCC) shared recent lessons and wins from their chapters. Members then had options to attend either a session on Immigration Defense or Building Membership and then a session on Connecting with Local Unions or Using Legal Supports. Chapters shared plans for May Day events before closing with a reflection on the next steps we will take to build collective power.

The AAUP NC Annual Meeting will be virtual this year—we hope this will allow for greater representation and participation from across the state!

Our annual meetings provide space for members to build community and solidarity in our collective efforts to improve higher education in NC. Members at this meeting also determine the next year’s goals and strategies for the state conference.

Members: Please check your email for the AAUP NC Newsletter for details about program and registration!

AAUP NC Annual Meeting

Saturday, April 18, 10am–1pm

1. Clearly addressing the challenges we face while also celebrating our wins

2. Connecting members within and across chapters to our collective work

3. Determining the priorities of AAUP NC for the next year and beyond

10:00–10:10 – Coffee Talk

10:10–10:35 – AAUP in North Carolina: Challenges, Wins, Organization

10:35–10:50 – Learning from Chapters, Part 1

10:50–11:15 – Collectively Organizing in AAUP NC Working Groups

11:15–12:00 – Setting Priorities for AAUP NC

12:00–12:10 – BREAK

12:10–12:25 – Learning from Chapters, Part 2

12:25–1:00 – Micro-Sessions

• Immigration Defense

• Building Membership

• Connecting with Local Unions

• Using Legal Supports

12:55–1:00 – Sharing Out / Closing