The Alamo Colleges AAUP champions academic freedom, advances shared governance, and organizes faculty and staff to promote economic security and quality education.
Key Issues
Academic Freedom
The Alamo Colleges District adopted D.3.5 (Policy) Academic Freedom and Responsibilities on 4-28-09.
All members of the faculty are entitled to academic freedom as defined in the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure formulated by the Association of American Colleges and the American Association of University Professors as revised by these associations in November 1989 and January 1990. The pertinent provisions of this statement are as follows:
Teachers are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of their other academic duties; but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities for the institution.
Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing the subject, but they should be careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to their subject.
College and university teachers are citizens, members of a learned profession, and officers of an educational institution. When they speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position in the community imposes special obligations. As scholars and educational officers, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence, they should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.
AAUP Webinar: Academic Freedom Basics
This webinar provides an overview of the concept of academic freedom based on AAUP’s 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure.
Shared Governance
Governance of higher education institutions traditionally has been a responsibility shared by faculty, administrators, and trustees. The AAUP and the Alamo Colleges AAUP-AFT Chapter works to ensure meaningful participation by faculty members in decision-making on college and university campuses.
On August 12, 2025, the Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the creation of a single faculty senate comprised of 25 to 35 seats in B.2.2 Policy Faculty Senate Establishment and Governance.
Each college will have an equal number of representatives, with one seat appointed by Alamo Colleges Chancellor Mike Flores and the remaining seats (4-6 members at each college) will be filled through elections by full-time faculty. This change does away with between 79 to 89 Faculty Senate seats.
Texas AAUP-AFT members advocate for academic freedom & shared governance at the Texas Capitol in May 2025.
Legislative Advocacy
The 89th Texas Legislature convened from Jan. 14, 2025, to June 2, 2025, and passed a slew of new faculty regulations signed by the Governor.
New state laws place severe restrictions on faculty academic freedom, freedom of speech, shared governance, due process, remote work, and expressive activities, with possible penalties including dismissal and even criminal charges.
Your membership provides access to Texas AAUP-AFT’s legal protection resources, guidance, and peer support to help you navigate these laws as well as their campus implementation and enforcement.
The Alamo Colleges AAUP-AFT chapter welcomes new members to help amplify faculty and staff voices as we face challenges in this new landscape.
Priscilla Camacho, Alamo Colleges District, Chief Legislative, Industry & External Relations Officer gives legislative update at the ACD Board of Trustees Regular Meeting on August 12, 2025.