Chapter Service Program
The name and phone number of the director of the chapter service program: Thomas E. Guild. 405-359-7920
The Oklahoma Conference does the following to assist chapters in Oklahoma.
(1) Consultation with chapter and faculty governance leaders regarding issues of academic policy; consultation and assistance in developing strategies to strengthen the faculty role in academic governance.
(2) Protection and support for individuals faced with violations of academic freedom and lack of due process; possible referral to the national office to determine if an investigation should be pursued; provision of external observers at faculty hearings; references to higher education attorneys with reduced fees for chapter/conference referrals.
(3) Assistance in developing media relations campaigns; training in dealing with the press; maintenance of direct press contacts; assistance in development and production of chapter newsletters.
(4) Comprehensive program of support for faculty and students in the state legislature; active government relations committee with statewide membership; carefully monitoring of bills affecting higher education and higher education employees.
(5) Chapter leadership training; advice and assistance in chapter organization and membership development; provision of speakers and consultants with expertise in a wide range of higher education issues.
(6) Monitoring of legislation impacting on higher education. Lobbying efforts for better higher education funding, opposition to TABOR (which was defeated in part by active lobbying by the Oklahoma AAUP in the Oklahoma legislature in early 2005). Coordination with other groups in support of and opposed to legislative initiatives depending on potential impact on higher education and higher education faculty.