American Association of University Professors, Fresno Chapter Records, 1957-1981

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Background

Scope and content:

The Association of American University Professors (AAUP), Fresno Chapter records measure 5.25 linear inches and date from 1957 to 1981. The collection is arranged in two series: Fresno chapter and State chapter.

The Fresno chapter series (1957-1981) contains an array of information relating to the monthly activities of the AAUP. The records of three past presidents, William York, George Raney and John Barta, are included. The records contain mostly routine correspondence with the state and national association. William York's records contain letters about a complaint filed by Professor Chester Cole at the university, when he was removed from his position as chairman of the Department of Geography.

At times membership was very low in the Fresno chapter. Membership rosters dating from 1957 to 1980 show this fluctuation. The financial records folder contains mostly reimbursement requests for travel and other related organizational duties along with two official financial reports.

Two constitutions of the national AAUP, and that of the California State University and Colleges Council (CSUC) of the California Conference, AAUP, as well as AAUP handbooks, are located in the Administrative files folder.

The State chapter series (1965-1981) includes the records of the annual and state conference meetings, which were held concurrently. The conference provided an opportunity for members to discuss topics of interest. The main focus of the 1976 annual meeting was the exchange of letters between William W.Vann Alstyne, the national AAUP president, and George Bush, director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). "The recent report of the Senate Select Committee on Foreign and Military Intelligence has confirmed what was already published elsewhere: that the CIA has for years covertly used academic institutions and employed academic persons in ways which compromise institutional and professional integrity" (letter from Alstyne to Bush, May 4, 1976, State chapter, Meetings, State conference, 1975-1979).

Biographical / historical:

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) was formed in 1915 by university professors and scholars. It emerged as the first national organization of its kind to protect the interests of professors and research scholars in higher education. Later, the national organization began to organize state and local chapters. Local chapters provided faculty with easier access to the association and promoted their own issues with the guidance of the national association.

The AAUP also worked with other organizations, such as the Congress of Faculty Association (CFA), primarily in the area of collective bargaining.

Acquisition information:
The records were donated by George Raney in 1997.
Physical description:
5.25 linear inches

Access and use

Location of this collection:
5200 North Barton Avenue, M/S ML 34
Fresno, CA 93740-8014, US
Contact:
(559) 278-2595
specialc@listserv.csufresno.edu
Website