2.01 – Academic Freedom and Responsibility

A. Purpose

Establish the criteria and conditions regarding academic freedom and responsibility for faculty and students at the college.

B. Policy

The college will provide understanding and support of academic freedom for both faculty and students.

C. Procedures

The following statements reflect criteria established in the American Association of University Professors publication, 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure, and adopted by the college as the basis of academic freedom:

Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of teachers in teaching and of the student to freedom in learning.

Instructors are entitled to full freedom in research and in publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of their academic duties; but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of the institution.

Instructors are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they should be careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to their subject. Limitations of academic freedom because of religious or other aims of the institution should be clearly stated in writing at the time of appointment.

Instructors are citizens, members of a learned profession, and officers of an educational institution. When they speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position in the community imposes special obligations. As scholars and educational officers, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence they should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.

D. Definitions

N/A

E. Authority

This policy is maintained under the authority of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

F. Related Policies

N/A

G. Implementation

Policy approved and adopted by the Board of Trustees on 10/08/01. Revised on 3/11/13 and 10/14/19.

Purpose, procedures, responsibilities and definitions approved and adopted by the Cabinet on 2/26/13 and 10/01/19. Set for review in fiscal year 2025 – 2026.