NEWSLETTER
July 2025
July Monthly Chapter Meeting:
Building a Stronger Organization
The chapter held its first monthly meeting on July 2nd over Zoom, introducing the newly elected officers: Lisa Siraganian (President), Ahmed Ragab (VP), Siobhan Cooke (Secretary) and Graham Mooney (Treasurer). The Officers presented the chapter’s new committees (strategy, membership and activities), and proposed a regular calendar of events as well as new resources available to support members. Members also discussed the impact of new SCOTUS rulings on Hopkins, the resignation of the U. Virginia president, collaboration with other AAUP chapters, communication with university administration, and different strategies to reach out to Hopkins faculty.
STRATEGY
Considering the impact of SCOTUS rulings and the new Federal Budget
Over the next few weeks, the Strategy Committee will work to analyze and discuss the impact of recent SCOTUS rulings and the OBBB, signed into law on July 4th, on higher education and Hopkins. The Committee will discuss the different actions the Chapter can and should take to address these impacts.
MEMBERSHIP
Reaching out to faculty across Hopkins Units
Over the summer, the Membership Committee will develop strategies to reach faculty across Hopkins' various schools, units, and campuses, with the goal of establishing liaisons and representatives in each unit and department. The plan aims to ensure proper representation of faculty across the campus.
ACTIVITIES
Plans to ensure mentorship and support
The Committee on Activities, Professionalization and Wellbeing creates initiatives and events that support faculty’s professional development, and develop resources and opportunities for peer mentorship. The Committee will plan a host of events starting in the Fall to address faculty needs across Hopkins.
NEWS
NEW JHU RULES ON TITLE VI
On July 2nd, the Vice Provost for Institutional Equity issued a statement including new rules related to enforcing Title VI. We support a robust university procedure to combat all forms of racism and harassment. We also believe that OIE procedures must not be used to threaten the values of free speech and academic freedom. The Chapter leadership is holding a town hall on July 21st at 10 am for all faculty to discuss the new policies and our actions in this regard.
In the meantime, faculty with any concerns or faced with an investigation should contact the AAUP chapter for support and advice. You can find more about the resources here.
RESOURCES
New Page with Resources for Faculty
The Resources and Advocacy Committee prepared a list of legal resources to support faculty with various legal and professional concerns. Members can fill out a concern form to discuss with the Chapter Officers any issues that they might have.
NEWS
“NOT IN OUR NAME”
Jewish Faculty and Staff Issue a Statement
The statement condemns the use of antisemitism as a pretext for attacks on higher education. It declares support for free academic inquiry and the constitutionally guaranteed right to peaceable assembly and free speech.
“The more we speak up, the harder it becomes for the government to appropriate our identity as a means for harming our students and colleagues.”