The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) will convene for a Summer Institute conference at the University Thursday, July 19. AAUP members gather for five days of workshops on academic and administrative issues, as well as touring the Reno and Lake Tahoe area.

The AAUP strives to protect professor's academic freedom as well as define the fundamental professional standards for higher education and assure higher education's contribution to society.

The convention annually assembles professors to speak on professional issues professors must face, including workshops as contract negotiations or achieving diversity in the classroom, according to Glenn Miller, Natural Resources and Environment Science professor, and board member of the Nevada Faculty Alliance, an affiliate of the AAUP.

"The goal of the institute is to bring AAUP faculty from around the nation each year to discuss academic issues, particularly collective bargaining, interactions with university administration and evolving issues in the changing university scene around the country," Miller said.

Miller is honored that the Summer Institute is hosted at the University this year. The site was selected through the efforts of Jim Richardson, sociology professor and NFA lobbyist, Miller said.

"We are very pleased that the AAUP Summer Institute is being held in Reno this year," Miller said.

The AAUP members at the Summer Institute will be enjoying a dinner cruise on Lake Tahoe on Friday evening in addition to the workshops.