| Commission on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities |
 |
| REPORTS |
FACULTY RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE COMMISSION ON FACULTY
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
OCTOBER 8, 1997
TRANSMITTED TO THE FACULTY SENATE
NOVEMBER 6, 1997
APPROVED BY THE FACULTY SENATE
(for insertion as the introduction to Chapter 6 of
the Faculty Handbook)
APRIL 28, 1998
Academic freedom and responsibility are fundamental to an environment of
higher learning and are essential to discovery, creativity and scholarship
in teaching, research, and extension/outreach. University policies and
procedures exist to insure academic freedom for its faculty and students
in an atmosphere of unfettered inquiry, open discussion, and free expression
of ideas [Section
600(1-3) of The
Code]. All members of the university community share responsibility
for maintaining an environment in which academic freedom flourishes, one
that is free from internal or external restraints on academic endeavors,
and one that respects the rights of each member of the academic community.
The primary elements of academic freedom include the rights
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to conduct research and engage in creative pursuits,
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to publish and communicate research results and creative works,
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as educators, to discuss ideas and topics relevant to the discipline,
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to participate in academic program development and determine appropriate
curriculum and course content,
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to determine pedagogy and evaluation procedures of student performance
and learning,
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to engage in public service, and
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to participate in governance of the University.
The exercise of academic freedom implies specific faculty responsibilities.
Faculty have the responsibility
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to pursue excellence, intellectual honesty, and professionalism in conducting
research, teaching, extension/outreach, and public and institutional service,
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as educators. to discuss ideas consistent with the discipline and professional
expertise,
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to maintain professional competence and relevance,
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to encourage students and colleagues to engage in intellectual discourse
and inquiry,
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to evaluate student and colleague performance and achievement on a scholarly
basis, and
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to differentiate official duties as faculty and public servants from personal
activities as citizens.