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History of the Ohio Conference AAUP to 1999
The history of the Ohio Conference AAUP might be divided into the stories of the “Old Conference” and the “New Conference.” The “Old Conference” began on April 30, 1949, at the Faculty Club, Ohio State University, when twenty-three persons from twelve institutions gathered. They organized the Conference of the Ohio Chapters of the American Association of University Professors. Present as guest consultant was Professor Quincy Wright of the University of Chicago, eminent educator and ex-president of national AAUP. At this time there were twenty-one chapters in Ohio and total membership therein was 1,787.
In 1951, the organization became the Ohio Conference of Chapters of the American Association of University Professors. This still “Old Conference” dealt diligently with the U.S. House of Un-American Activities Committee, the Ohio Un-American Activities Committee, McCarthyism, and also inefficiency in the national office of AAUP. A highlight of the “Old Conference” was a stirring address, “The Attacks on the Intellect – A Discussion of Academic Freedom, “ by Agnes E. Meyer, publisher of the Washington Post, at the meeting of February 27, 1954, at Ohio University, eighty-six delegates being present. Much conference attention was given to the case of tenured Professor William E. Felch of Philosophy, dismissed at Findlay College on July 20, 1961. Unaided by national AAUP, the Ohio Conference helped Professor Felch; his record was cleared of charges; he was allowed to resign with honor, and received a monetary settlement.
The “Old” Ohio Conference gave little attention to the economic aspects of higher education. Perhaps intentionally those matters were left to the AAUP Council of State Universities in Ohio (CSUO).
On October 25, 1952, six state-supported universities in Ohio formed the Council of State Universities in Ohio. Initially a five-dollar contribution by each chapter financed the organization. CSUO met more frequently than the “Old” Ohio Conference which held one yearly meeting. Indeed, CSUO averaged four to five meetings a year. It was customary for CSUO to hold one of its meetings early on the same day of the annual Ohio Conference since Council delegates were members of both groups and attended the meetings of both. CSUO focused largely on obtaining equitable salaries, but also on teaching loads, general financing problems facing public institutions, and gaining allies such as the Ohio Education Association and the National Education Association.
As the activities and outlooks of the private and public colleges and universities grew and vied for the attention of the National Office of AAUP, there was evident need for a more serviceable organization on the state level. Therefore, in 1962, there appeared the AAUP Council of Private Institutions of Higher Education in Ohio and the AAUP Council of Public Institutions in Ohio; each group elected senators to the Ohio Conference, which became the official AAUP state unit. However, this constitutional structure proved ineffective. Upon continued urging of the AAUP national headquarters, a thorough study of organization ensued.
As a result, on March 30, 1968, at a Conference meeting at Findlay College, the delegates approved the new constitution. Thus the Ohio Conference became a federation of two councils, comprising chapters in the private and public sectors. Each council became responsible for its own acts; however, each council may bring its proposals to a Conference meeting. Consequently, the “new” Ohio Conference AAUP debuted.
This “new” Ohio Conference has considerably relied on its committees. Committee A (Academic Freedom and Tenure) has been very conscientious. In its earlier years a committee delegation visited campuses that had serious problems. Such situations included Defiance, Heidelberg, Kenyon and Oberlin. A determined effort was made to mediate in the strike at Antioch. A delegation went to Oxford to help the Western College faculty in the absorption of Western by Miami University. In later years, the chair of Committee A visited campuses such as Ashland, Denison, Lake Erie, Capital, Marietta and Muskingum to help beleaguered faculty members. This committee issues reports of its activities.
Other committees labor. The one on legislative matters carefully monitors the Ohio Senate and House. The Committee on Organizing and Collective Bargaining has helped immeasurably the establishment of collective bargaining units on public campuses. The Committee on Economic Issues gathers and distributes valuable data on faculty salaries and related issues in Ohio. The Committee on Women in Academe has compiled an enviable reputation in its domain.
The “new” Ohio Conference AAUP has demonstrated ingenuity. It established the Robert E. Kennedy Award for outstanding contributions to the cause of academic freedom. There exists the well received publication, Ohio Academe. For some years there was sponsorship of Legislators’ Night at the OSU Faculty Club; this was a social gathering and dinner for state legislators and chapter presidents intended to promote a better understanding between the two groups. Now there occurs an annual breakfast for legislators and chapter representatives and a follow-up meeting with legislators in the Capitol. The Conference successfully attempted to place students on public universities boards of trustees.
The Public Council has been meeting twice a year. The activities dovetail particularly with two conference committees. It seeks to promote collective bargaining and to monitor the legislature. Among other matters, it stands for university autonomy in setting teaching loads.
The Private Council also meets twice a year. One of its achievements was its sponsoring for the Ohio Conference the Creative College Teaching Workshop, October 19, 1973, at Ohio Wesleyan University which had 200 participants. The Council has sought to convince accrediting organizations to deny accreditation to the institutions that are under AAUP censure. Recently, however, the Private Council has undergone poor attendance at its meetings despite financial help provided by national AAUP.
Finally, and most significantly, the “new” Ohio Conference instituted the office that is the very linchpin of the entire body. On December 5, 1970, the executive secretary, a part-timer, assumed office in quarters at the American Federation of Labor building in Columbus. Then, after a few years in Cleveland, the office returned to Columbus, being for some time at the Beggs Building and became full-time. Eventually, the position became executive director with office at Worthington where myriad invaluable services continue.
My apology for restraints of imposed time have prevented my doing justice to persons who have devoted countless hours to the Ohio Conference AAUP.
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