We’re standing together for higher education: Letter from AFT President Randi Weingarten and AAUP President Todd Wolfson

Dear AFT and AAUP Higher Education Leaders and Members,

We stand on the brink of an uncertain time, with a new presidential administration about to begin. The incoming administration and its allies have outlined a number of proposals that would be detrimental to higher education and to our members, our students, and the communities we serve. These include attacks on academic freedom and campus free speech, banning public-sector unions, changes to student loans that will price many students out of college, rolling back decades of progress toward equity and opportunity for all, and having politicians, rather than educators, dictate curriculum.

In the face of this, the American Association of University Professors and the AFT reaffirm our shared vision: Higher education that is accessible and affordable for all who want it and that serves as a great equalizer in a moment of acute economic inequality. Freedom to teach, to learn, to conduct research, to speak out on issues of the day and to assemble in the organizations of our choice. Colleges and universities that create opportunity for students and workers and that are economic engines in their local communities and states. Sufficient funding to provide true education and sustainable working conditions.

We have a long way to go to realize our vision of real opportunity for all, but we take heart from the fact that Inauguration Day is also the commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. This day is a reminder that through organizing, activism and hard work, we can achieve significant and lasting change. Progress is possible. To that end, we want to share these resources and our call to action with you:

• Our "Defending Higher Education in 2025" resource page, which includes guidance and talking points on the issues we believe the president-elect and his associates will attack: accreditation; immigration; and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. We will continue to build out these resources over the next weeks and months.
• Our Digital Safety Workshops webinar series for higher education workers:
  • Digital Safety Workshop: Prepare
    March 10, 3 p.m. EDT REGISTER HERE
  • Digital Safety Workshop: Respond
    March 17, noon EDT REGISTER HERE
  • Digital Safety Workshop: Allyship
    Mar 24, 3 p.m. EDT. REGISTER HERE
• Our Defending Higher Education call to action, which ensures you will be notified of updated resources and opportunities for activism.

Your fight is our fight. We want you to know that we will fight for you, for our students, for our communities and for higher education. And in turn, we need you fight with us. Together, the AAUP and the AFT are more than 400,000 strong in higher education, with members in every state. We are teachers, researchers, college staff, graduate workers, postdocs, librarians, engaged community members, parents and students. We are committed to higher education for the common good, and, together, we can build a better future.