Key FAUW Facts

FAUW's membership

FAUW represents all regular faculty below the level of dean, including chairs, directors, and associate deans. You can come to FAUW for help as a member yourself, as well as in your leadership role.

There is a short online form required to become a voting member, which allows you to vote in elections, attend general meetings, and join the board or committees.

Board of Directors and Faculty Relations Committee

FAUW is governed by an elected Board of Directors. The president and four other members of the Board make up the Executive Committee, who also serve as FAUW's delegation to the Faculty Relations Committee (FRC), where the most decision-making with administration happens. In particular, FRC is where policies are approved that govern the terms and conditions of employment of our members, including chairs/directors. Those four people are selected by the president from among the current Board members.

Academic Freedom & Member Support Committee

The Academic Freedom & Member Support Committee (AF&MS) helps faculty members with workplace processes, questions, and problems, including member-to-member conflicts. It operates confidentially, reporting to the Board only on trends that might need a broad response and to the Executive on matters requiring review.

Council of Representatives

One representative from every academic unit sits on the FAUW Council of Representatives. It's up to the chair to determine how a representative is selected, but it should be someone who is comfortable engaging with their colleagues to share information and solicit feedback regularly. We share updates at least once a month, hold meetings in fall and winter, and ask for input on issues before the Board intermittently. You will hear from us each September asking for the name of your unit's representative, but you’re welcome to select that representative at any time.

FAUW staff

FAUW has four staff members who support our work:

• Executive manager: supports the Executive and Board, manages staff and oversees FAUW operations. 
• Academic Freedom & Tenure and Policy Officer: supports individual faculty members with workplace issues and advises on policy development and interpretation.
• Communications and Membership Services Officer: is responsible for all communications and events, supports the Council of Representatives, maintains our membership database, and is the first point of contact for general inquiries. 
• Administrative Assistant: supports the association through a variety of administrative duties, including managing calendars, preparing, editing, and proofreading correspondence, and maintaining information filing systems.