206.00 ACADEMIC FREEDOM

Faculty members are citizens, members of a learned profession, and representatives of the College. When speaking or writing as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special positions in the community impose special obligations upon them as individuals. As persons of learning and as educators, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence, they should at all times be accurate, exercise restraint, show respect for the opinion of others, and make every effort to indicate that they are not institutional spokespersons. (Source: A.A.U.P. Handbook)

The instructor is given full freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of other academic duties, but research for pecuniary return shall be based upon an agreement with the President of the College.

The instructor is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing appropriate subject matter, but should be careful not to introduce controversial material which does not enhance instruction.

The Professional Employee believes in the worth and dignity of the individual person, and recognizes the supreme importance of the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, and the nature of democratic citizenship. The Professional Employee regards as essential to these goals the protection of freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal educational opportunity for all. The Professional Employee accepts the responsibility to practice the profession according to the highest ethical standards.

Adopted October 18, 1971
Reviewed July 11, 1989
Revised July 21, 2003
Revised August 9, 2004