STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM

The College educates people in the democratic tradition to foster a recognition of individual freedom and social responsibility and to inspire meaningful awareness and respect for the Bill of Rights. The College can best transmit these democratic values in an atmosphere that endorses academic freedom for the teacher and the student. This is an atmosphere free from censorship and other artificial restraints on free inquiry.

Because academic freedom is essential to fulfill the educational purpose of this College, the teachers have the right to protection from any censorship or restraint that might interfere with their obligation to pursue truth. The Board of Trustees should, therefore, encourage and guarantee freedom of expression. At the same time, both the Board and the teachers recognize that this freedom includes the academic responsibility as described and defined by the relevant professional organizations.

Adopted: January 28, 1970
Adopted: November 19, 1981
Adopted: November 21, 1985
Reformatted: May 5, 2010

Procedure 6110A

STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM

Academic freedom, for the purposes of this policy, is defined to include the following 7 rights for teachers and students:

1. The right to use materials relevant to the students’ level of ability and maturity and to the College’s purposes.

2. The right to teach and learn about controversial issues which have economic, political, scientific, or social significance.

3. The right to maintain a classroom environment conducive to freely exchanging and examining significant economic, political, scientific, or social ideas.

4. The right of teachers to express their conscience as private citizens with the added professional responsibility to present balanced views of any controversial issues studied in the classroom.

5. The right of the faculty to pursue independent research, publication, and vocational expertise as long as it does not interfere with college responsibilities.

6. The right of the faculty to participate in the public affairs of the community as long as it does not interfere with College responsibilities.

7. The right of students to hold divergent ideas as long as any dissent is expressed within the guidelines of debate or discussion, generally expected in a classroom.

Adopted: January 8, 1970
Adopted: November 19, 1981
Adopted: November 21, 1985
Approved: August 11, 1988
Reformatted: May 5, 2010