Penn’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors has begun its programming for the 2025-26 academic year.
The faculty group — which "advocates for the interests of Penn faculty and for a just university" — spans the University’s twelve graduate schools. Jessa Lingel, AAUP-Penn’s chapter president, spoke with The Daily Pennsylvanian about the organization’s upcoming initiatives and priorities.
According to Lingel, AAUP-Penn’s focus for the Fall 2025 semester stems from the current political atmosphere, including decisions made by the federal government concerning students and faculty that will impact Penn.
These priorities include “advocating for international students and international workers,” along with “pushing back on [the] federal government's funding cuts,” Lingel said.
The AAUP has encouraged “the University to step up and do more to protect the kinds of research that we have always done at Penn,” she continued. “We really want a seat at the table in those conversations.”
In August, AAUP’s national chapter hosted a meeting for members on Penn’s campus regarding recent negotiations between the federal government and universities across the country.
The event — titled “University of Negotiations and Settlements with the Trump Administration: What to Know” — was centered on the implications of those recent decisions and how members can respond.
Penn has been subject to several confrontations with the White House, including the events leading up to the University’s July resolution agreement with the Department of Education.
The settlement, which concluded a months-long investigation into Penn’s Title IX compliance, was quickly followed by the announcement of settlements by both Brown University and Columbia University, along with the start of similar negotiations with other peer institutions. Several Trump administration officials have also suggested that Penn's agreement could serve as a “model” for other universities.
Following the announcement of Penn’s settlement, the Executive Committee of AAUP-Penn condemned the University’s chosen “path of political expediency at the expense of trans athletes” in a July 2 public statement.
The faculty group's statement — which links to other AAUP statements and articles — characterized the University’s compliance as “a painful reminder that Penn’s administration will not adhere” to its diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments.
The Executive Committee emphasized that the University’s decision contradicts the collective action of “1100 workers at Penn [who] signed a petition demanding that Penn uphold research and counter funding cuts, affirm sanctuary and legal rights of immigrants, maintain commitments to DEIA, and stand up for equal treatment for LGBTQ+ members of our community.”
Lingel also told the DP that AAUP-Penn must have a role in the University’s governance, highlighting the contribution of non-tenure track faculty members, who teach “over 60% of the courses at Penn.”
“We're proud of the work we've done to advocate for non-tenure track faculty, who are often left out of decision making, even more so than tenure track faculty," Lingel said. "We'll continue to advocate for them.”
Last April, AAUP similarly advocated for non-tenure track faculty, offering recommendations to the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community. Among the suggestions were amendments to Penn’s faculty handbook, equal benefits for all faculty, and a consistent form of shared governance.
“The administration could do more to be proactive in soliciting input and genuine voice from AAUP Penn,” Lingel said.
“Your experience as a student is going to be better if the people who are teaching the majority of your courses — and also the people who are most passionate about teaching undergraduates — are represented in those conversations,” she added.
