Academic Freedom Policy

Policy Name: Academic Freedom Policy
Policy Number: 02-01-035
Version Effective Date: Not Available
Last Reviewed on: January 1, 2019
Policy Applies To: Faculty
Responsible Office: Provost

INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
This policy outlines university guidelines as they relate to academic freedom.

POLICY
Academic freedom derives from the nature of the quest for knowledge. It is essential to the full search for truth and its free exposition, applies to both teaching and research, and shall not be abridged or abused. Academic freedom does not relieve the faculty of those duties and obligations that are inherent in the employer-employee relationship.

Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth. Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the teacher in teaching and of the student to freedom in learning. It carries with it responsibilities correlative with rights. Faculty are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of results. A faculty member is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing his or her discipline.

Faculty are citizens and members of a learned profession. When the faculty member speaks or writes as a citizen, he or she is free from institutional censorship or discipline, but should not represent him or herself as a spokesperson for the institution. Closely related to the matter of academic freedom is meaningful and systematic involvement of faculty in the governance of the University. The Board of Trustees shall establish formal means to assure that faculty views are taken into account regarding such matters as academic policy, curriculum development, faculty
and other academic personnel decisions.

DATE TO INITIATE REVIEW AND UPDATE
As deemed necessary or appropriate by the Policy Coordinator but at a minimum, at least every 5 years from the date of last review.