American Association of University Professors, University of Washington Chapter RecordsThe American Association of University Professors was launched in January 1915 in response to the clear need for a nationwide organization that could represent all faculty, not just those of a particular discipline. From the outset its purpose was to establish a framework that would guarantee academic freedom. From that initial meeting came the 1915 Declaration of Principles on Academic Freedom and Academic Tenure which explained the necessity of a system of tenure to guarantee freedom of inquiry and expression in academic life. Among the scholars who drafted that document was Frederick M. Padelford, Professor of English at the University of Washington. Three years later, in 1918, Padelford and others formed the University of Washington chapter of AAUP. [AAUP/UW Website]