Who Is Eligible to Join AAUP-AFT WSU?

Updated

Almost everyone teaching or working academically at Wright State University can join the AAUP-AFT WSU chapter. According to the chapter's own description, membership is open to all university faculty, plus emeritus faculty, academic professionals, and graduate students. The only groups carved out of the bargaining unit — the group the chapter formally represents in collective bargaining — are certain high-level administrators and faculty whose primary appointment sits in the Boonshoft School of Medicine. Those exclusions affect representation, not the invitation to join.

Who is in the bargaining unit

The chapter represents a single unified bargaining unit formed from two previously separate units:

  • Tenure-track and tenured faculty on both the Dayton and Celina (Lake) campuses — except those holding certain administrative appointments at the rank of chair and higher.
  • Non-tenure-eligible (NTE) faculty on both the Dayton and Celina (Lake) campuses — except those whose primary appointments are in the Boonshoft School of Medicine.

If you fall into either group, you are part of the unit the chapter bargains for.

Who else is invited to join

The invitation to join is broader than the bargaining unit. The chapter explicitly welcomes:

  • Adjunct faculty
  • Faculty with administrative appointments
  • Faculty with primary appointments in the Boonshoft School of Medicine or the School of Professional Psychology
  • Emeritus faculty
  • Academic professionals
  • Graduate students

Quick reference

Category In bargaining unit? Invited to join?
Tenure-track / tenured faculty (Dayton, Celina) Yes Yes
NTE faculty (Dayton, Celina) Yes Yes
Chairs and above with certain administrative appointments No Yes
Primary appointment in Boonshoft School of Medicine No Yes
Adjunct faculty No Yes
Emeritus faculty, academic professionals, graduate students No Yes

The key distinction to keep in mind

Being eligible to join and being represented in bargaining are two different things. The exclusions listed above — administrative appointments at the rank of chair and higher, and primary appointments in the Boonshoft School of Medicine — define who is outside the bargaining unit. They do not close the door on membership. If you are unsure which category you fall into, the deciding factor is your appointment type and primary unit, not your job title alone.

The chapter also invites anyone who wants to help to reach out, so joining and volunteering are both open paths.