AAUA History

The American Association of University Administrators (AAUA) was founded in 1970 in Buffalo, New York. The Association is chartered as a non-profit, educational organization in compliance with the laws of the State of New York.

AAUA was established as - and remains - a professional organization. Membership in AAUA is open to career administrators in any accredited college, university, or other post-secondary organization. The AAUA membership includes presidents, deans, directors, department chairpersons, and individuals working in a variety of other administrative positions. A special membership category is open to individuals retired from the profession, and another serves students training for a career in university administration.

Association policies and program priorities are established and guided by a Board of Directors , elected by the membership and headed by the elected president of the Association. An Executive Committee of the Board is appointed by the president. The chief executive officer of the Association is the general secretary.

Approximately 500 college and university administrators in the United States and several foreign countries currently hold membership in AAUA. AAUA works actively to:

• Promote the professional development of individuals engaged in the administration of higher education.
• Establish ethical and professional standards for administrators and institutions of higher education.
• Cultivate the mutuality of interests of those engaged in or concerned with the administration of higher education.
• Represent locally or nationally the interests of members of AAUA in the affairs of institutions of higher education.

AAUA has developed and promoted a widely-respected policy document: AAUA " Professional Standards for Administrators in Higher Education ." The Association publishes a quarterly member newsletter, Communiqué , featuring AAUA member news, a column of legal information, and reviews of relevant publications.

Consistent with its Professional Standards , AAUA provides a mediation service to assist with individual or institutional problems and/or grievances related to administrative responsibilities, conditions of employment, and other related matters. AAUA, however, does not serve as a collective bargaining agent.

The Association sponsors a National Assembly each year in late June. The Assembly attracts administrators from all levels from all over the world and includes scholarly presentations and review of major areas of concern to the AAUA membership.

AAUA provides a special institutional membership rate to academic institutions with five or more AAUA members. Each individual member receives full AAUA member benefits at a discounted rate. See our membership page for more information.