Current University Policy 2010
Academic Freedom Statement
It is recognized that
if faculty members are to teach and carry on research effectively, academic
freedom is necessary. Academic freedom is the freedom of the faculty to teach
and speak out as the fruits of their research and scholarship dictate, even
though their conclusions may be unpopular or contrary to public opinion. Both
within and outside the classroom, the faculty should exhibit the accuracy,
restraint, and respect for the opinions of others appropriate to educators and
persons of learning. In relations with the public, they should make it clear at
all times whether they speak as private citizens, as experts on the subject in
question, or as institutional spokesmen. In speaking as private citizens,
faculty should make clear that they are doing so. In this connection, use of
University titles should be permitted for identification purposes only, and it
should be made clear that institutional endorsement is not implied.
The following
statements were passed by the University Faculty Senate and were adopted as
policy by the University administration and on May 31, 1979, by the Board of Trustees.
The teacher is entitled to full
freedom in research and in the publication of results, but research for
pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of
the University.
The teacher is entitled to freedom in the classroom in
discussing his or her subject but should be careful not to introduce into his
or her teaching matter that which has little or no relation to the subject.
Classroom visitations for the purpose of teaching evaluations
are compatible with academic freedom, but such visitation shall adhere to
reasonable procedures contained in a written statement approved by a majority
of department faculty. (Approved by Faculty Senate and amended by the Committee
on Education and Training of the Board of Trustees, December 10, 1980)
The teacher is an individual, a member of a learned profession,
as well as a member of an educational institution. When speaking as an
individual, he or she should be free from institutional censorship or
discipline, but his or her special position in the community imposes special
obligations. As a person of learning and as an educator, the teacher should
remember that the public may judge his or her profession and institution by his
or her utterances. Hence the teacher 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 he or she is not an institutional
spokesperson.
Members of the
University community are free to examine and to discuss all questions of
interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately. They are free
to support causes by orderly means including any means of peaceful assembly or
advocacy that do not infringe upon the rights or freedoms of others. Members of
the University community are allowed to invite, to hear, and to see speakers,
creative performers and artistic presentations of their own choosing. Guest
appearances must not interfere with the University's regular instructional,
research, and service programs. Except for ceremonial occasions, invited
speakers and art presenters should be prepared for a reasonable public
discussion of their expressed views.
Invited speakers and
art presenters are accorded the full courtesy and protection appropriate to a
university community. Individuals or groups who engage in actions designed to
obstruct or in any way to prevent the speaker from speaking and the art
presenter from presenting or displaying any form of artistic expression are
subject to discipline and to financial responsibility in the event of damage to
property or person.
The institutional
control of campus facilities is not to be used as a device of censorship.
Sponsorship of guest speakers and art presenters does not imply approval or
endorsement of the views expressed, either by the sponsoring unit or the
University.
Academic Freedom Statement – Proposed Statement from
Academic freedom is the
freedom to teach, both in and outside the classroom, to conduct research and
other scholarly or creative activities, and to publish or otherwise disseminate
the results. Academic freedom also encompasses the freedom to address any
matter of institutional policy or action whether or not as a member of any
agency of institutional governance. Faculty have the freedom to address the larger community with
regard to any social, political, economic, or other interest. The freedoms
enumerated in this policy apply without institutional discipline or restraint
save for statements or actions that demonstrate disciplinary incompetence or
that violate the University’s Professional Ethics Statement (as edited on
2/12/99) or the University’s standards pertaining to disruptive behavior (as
adopted on 6/1/70). Alterations to these statements made subsequent to the
signing of this Agreement do not affect the freedoms enumerated in this Article
unless ratified by the UD-AAUP. Academic responsibility implies the faithful
performance of professional duties and obligations, the recognition of the
demands of the scholarly enterprise, and the candor to make it clear that, when
one is speaking as a citizen on matters of public interest, one is not speaking
for the institution.
Revised Proposed
Policy for
In
addition to labeling the three statements or policies as a), b) and c),
the changes are in caps, bold and underlined.
Academic freedom is the freedom to teach, both in and
outside the
classroom, to conduct research and other scholarly or creative activities,
and to publish or otherwise disseminate the results. Academic freedom also
encompasses the freedom to address any matter of institutional policy or
action whether or not as a member of any agency of institutional
governance. Faculty have the freedom to address the
larger community with
regard to any social, political, economic, or other interest. The freedoms
enumerated in this policy apply without institutional discipline or
restraint save for statements or actions a) that demonstrate disciplinary
incompetence or b) that violate the University's Professional Ethics
Statement (as edited on 2/12/99) or c) the University's standards
pertaining to disruptive behavior (as adopted on 6/1/70). ALTERATIONS TO
STATEMENTS OR ACTIONS a), b) OR c) MADE SUBSEQUENT TO THE SENATE'S
ADOPTION OF THIS ACADEMIC FREEDOM POLICY DO NOT RES
ENUMERATED HEREIN, UNLESS A NEW LIMITATION ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM IS
SPECIFICALLY APPROVED BY THE SENATE.
Academic responsibility implies the faithful performance of professional
duties and obligations, the recognition of the demands of the scholarly
enterprise, and the candor to make it clear that, when one is speaking as
a citizen on matters of public interest, one is not speaking for the
institution.