The AAUP’s standing committees specialize in a variety of higher education issues. The members of these committees are appointed by the President of the association. These bodies include standing committees, executive and governing committees for the AAUP, CBC and ASC, and ad hoc committees among other specialty groups.

Standing committees work with the national staff to oversee operations and spearhead initiatives. Some, like Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure, spend much of their time investigating complaints and concerns related to their mission and publishing their findings. They represent a major force in the protection and advancement of rights of the professoriate.