The AAUP's purpose is to advance academic freedom and shared governance, to define fundamental professional values and standards for higher education, and to ensure higher education's contribution to the common good.

AAUP, Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans
At Loyola University 17 ordinary faculty members, including ten with tenure, have suffered termination of appointment. Many others, spared thus far, believe they are potential future victims. The total number, still growing, of college and university faculty members in New Orleans involuntarily released exceeds anything ever before experienced in higher education. The AAUP is providing advice and assistance, calling when feasible for corrective action in this ongoing volatile situation.