Academic Freedom

300.100 ACADEMIC FREEDOM POLICY

The district subscribes to the academic freedom portion of the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure issued by the American Association of University Professors and the Association of American Colleges for Teacher Education, Education, the Association for Higher Education, the National Education Association, and other professional groups.

The academic freedom portion states:

1. Teachers are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of results, subject to the adequate performance of academic duties, but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of the institution.
2. Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing subjects, 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 the appointment.
3. College and university teachers 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.

The board of trustees delegates to the president or designee the responsibility to develop and implement procedures which will ensure academic freedom and tenure.

Adopted by the board of trustees: 7/12/00
Last reviewed: __/__/__
Policy contact: Instruction

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