Professional organizations and boards
Purpose of higher education professional organizations
Professional organizations in higher education are advocates in both management of institutions and the interest of the public. Many are focused on organization and governance of higher education, some are involved in research and service, and others focus on discipline specific issues.
Role of faculty members in professional organizations
Higher education professional organizations rely upon the service of faculty members to function. Whether for policy setting, organizing events, or determining a future direction, faculty members serve as the backbone of both general higher education and discipline specific organizations and boards. New faculty members who gradually increase their involvement with and leadership with these important advocates for higher education will benefit as much as they contribute. They will be better informed, have access to more resources, and develop a richer network of colleagues to expand their impact on the profession.
Role of Faculty Members
Faculty Service as Board Members in the Non-Profit Organizational Arena: An Act of Altruism Complicated by Sarbanes-Oxley
Trudeau, G. P. (2005). University of Wisconsin Superior, Journal of College Teaching, Vol. 2, No. 12
This paper examines the responsibilities a board member assumes within the non-profit organization structure, while asserting that many board members do not understand what board membership entails. In 2002 the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by Congress established the Public Company Accounting Oversight board, and strengthens the need for all board members to be fully aware of their fiduciary responsibilities.
Disciplinary Society Activities and Reflections of Executives
Gaff, J., Pruitt-Logan, A., Sims, L. & Denecke, D. (2003). Preparing Future Faculty in the Humanities and Social Sciences: A Guide for Change, Chapter 4, Council of Graduate Schools and the Association of American Colleges and Universities
This guide offers a look at the actual work many faculty members do, which is often very different from the activities that graduate students engage in. It outlines the efforts of a program called Preparing Future Faculty. It builds on the companion Preparing Future Faculty in the Sciences and Mathematics (2002) and the earlier Building the Faculty We Need (2000), and is focused on providing experiences in non-doctoral granting institutions such as liberal arts and community colleges and master’s institutions.
The AAUP: A View From the Top
Nelson, C. (December, 2009). The Chronicle Review
This article outlines several challenges to academic freedom, including the fact that most elected leaders in the organization are full time faculty members with time constraints. This both indicates the key role faculty members play in national professional organizations, and the tensions related to time management.
Example Professional Organizations
About ED – Educational Associations and Organizations
ED.gov, US Department of Education
This site provides links to many higher education associations, some of which describe the role of faculty members in their activities.
Post-Secondary Educational Organizations
Wikipedia.org
This entry lists higher education organizations in the United States, with the purposes of faculty unionization, public policy, research and service to institutions.
Higher Education Resources
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU)
This site contains an alphabetical listing of resources by issue, along with details about the NAICU organization.
Professional Organizations
Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support
This well organized site offers links, annotations for each organization, and general information about resources available in the state of Illinois.
Higher Education Organizations
Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP)
This institute is an independent non-profit dedicated to access and success in postsecondary education around the world. Links offer listings of many higher education organizations.
College Board Standards for College Success
CollegeBoard.com
This site describes the process for determining content standards that define the knowledge and skills students need to develop in language arts, mathematics, and science to be college ready. They are determined with the help of faculty members.
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
THECB
This website is an example of a board in Texas that coordinates information, initiatives, grants, data, and publications for higher education institutions in the state.
Professional Organizations
Association of College Unions International (ACUI)
ACUI partners with other organizations to bring expertise and value to members. This site offers a list of fellow higher education associations and professional organizations throughout the world.
