Academic Freedom

  • Faculty members are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of results, subject to the adequate performance of other academic duties. Faculty are entitled to complete academic freedom in the classroom, but they are encouraged to remember to teach their subject matter rather than deal unduly with matters which have little or no relationship to their subject.
  • The university instructor is a citizen, a member of a learned profession, and a member of an educational institution. When speaking or writing as a citizen, the instructor should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but the special position that a faculty member holds in the community imposes special obligations. As learned persons, faculty members should remember that the public may judge the profession and the institution by their utterances and by their actions. When speaking, writing, or acting as citizens, faculty should at all times be accurate, exercise appropriate restraint, show respect for the opinion of others, and make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.
  • Mickel Library’s display cases exist to exhibit academic materials and published works relevant to the curriculum of the University or forms of recognition of the United States. Student organizations that are officially recognized by the University are permitted to put up informational displays as openings on the schedule become available provided they meet the criteria outlined above. However, displays by Converse librarians and faculty take precedence because the display cases exist to promote the academic mission of the University. No display may contain materials that violate either the law or the rules of the University. Since the library’s display cases are in a prominent location not reasonably avoidable by students completing required academic work, no display likely to cause serious and widespread offense in the Converse community will be permitted. Moreover, unlike the editorial page of a newspaper, the library’s display cases are not a forum for advocacy.