The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) represents the interests of university faculty before lawmakers, college administrators, and the public. It advocates on issues affecting higher education, including tenure, equitable funding, collective bargaining, faculty retention, workload, evaluation, and representation.

The records of the Valdosta State College/University chapter of the AAUP document its local, state, and national activities from 1963 to 1995, with the bulk of the material dating from 1971 to 1985. The collection is arranged in four subgroups.

Chapter Business
Two boxes contain the chapter constitution, correspondence, minutes, membership materials, and related records. Correspondence includes lobbying letters to legislators and communications with campus administrators concerning national issues, such as the Equal Rights Amendment, and local concerns, including teaching loads. Prominent correspondents include Jane Elza, S. Walter Martin, Hugh Bailey, Betty Derrick, Dawson Mathis, and Dennis Marks.

Special Topics and Activities
Three boxes document AAUP involvement in campus and statewide issues, including administrator evaluation and salaries, the establishment of the Faculty Senate, tenure, teaching loads, grievance policies, and collective bargaining. The chapter frequently polled VSC faculty on issues such as presidential and vice-presidential selection, the establishment of football, the semester system, and merit pay.

One of the most extensive groups of records concerns the 1975 “Salary Fight.” During a period of financial constraint, the Georgia Board of Regents attempted to rescind previously approved salary increases. The AAUP brought suit on behalf of Georgia faculty members and prevailed. At the same time, the VSC chapter examined funding equity for VSC in comparison with similar institutions. Retrenchment and its potential effects on tenure are also well documented.

Publications
One box contains selected publications of local, state, and national AAUP organizations, as well as related newsletters from other educational organizations. These include Academe, 1973–1981; AAUP Chapter Conference letters and newsletters from Georgia AAUP chapters and the Georgia Conference; AAUP National News and Announcements; AAUP News Bulletins and Legislative News, scattered; the VSC AAUP Newsletter, 1973–1983, scattered; newspaper clippings concerning the AAUP; the GAE/NEA Higher Education Advocate; and the VSC Campus Capsule, 1973–1978, scattered.

AAUP National and State Issues
One box contains material distributed by the national AAUP office, along with information about issues of interest to the VSC chapter for which there is no correspondence or evidence of direct chapter action. Topics include scientific creationism, affirmative action, and other national policy issues.