In accordance with the One Faculty concept established by AAUP, AAUP-OSU’s definition of faculty includes tenure-track and non-tenure track faculty, full-time and part-time faculty, librarians, research and teaching assistants, and post-docs. Contingency has always been an issue in U.S. higher education and was a primary reason for the formation of AAUP in 1915. AAUP has continued to center this work, for example, AAUP released a 2024 report on Contingent Appointments and the Academic Profession. In 2026, we are building upon this legacy by making contingent labor an explicit priority.

AAUP-OSU understands that enhancing job security for the most precarious of our teaching and research colleagues strengthens our faculty as a whole. Therefore, addressing challenges and opportunities for non-tenure track faculty (NTT) is central to our work. We define NTT to include anyone on campus who teaches, but is not in a tenure line position. We call upon our members and allies to join us in defending working conditions, shared governance, due process, and academic freedom for all.