13. Academic Freedom:
The institution’s faculty and students are free to examine and test all knowledge appropriate to their discipline or area of major student as judged by the academic/educational community in general. Regardless of institutional affiliation or sponsorship, the institution maintains an atmosphere in which intellectual freedom and independence exists.
The ASCC has a policy statement of Academic Freedom, which states:
ASCC recognizes the principles of academic freedom, as expressed by the American Association of University Professors. Academic freedom is observed for the common good, the common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to teaching and research. Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth. Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the ASCC Instructor in teaching and of the student in learning.
The President of the college shall ensure that all faculty, staff and students are aware of their duties, responsibilities and rights pertaining to Academic Freedom. The entire Academic Freedom Policy Statement shall be published in the ASCC General Catalog, Faculty Handbook and the Student Handbook.1
Furthermore, Academic Freedom is clearly described in the 2014-2016 ASCC Catalog, which follows:
Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to teaching and research. Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth. Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the ASCC Instructor in teaching and of the student in learning. It carries with it duties correlative with rights.
Academic freedom:
The ASCC Instructor is entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of his/her other academic duties; but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of the institution. Some conditions may be required of commissioned work.
Accordingly, the College defend the teachers’ full right to freedom in the classroom to discuss or interpret his or her subject. The teacher has the right to be free from pressures and forces extraneous to the performance of his or her ethical and professional duties in the determination of the student’s grades.
The ASCC Instructor is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing his/her subject, but should be careful not to introduce into his/her teaching controversial matter that has no relation to the subject. When he or she speaks or writes as a citizen, they shall be free from institutional censorship or discipline. Thus while in accordance with all restrictions of applicable law concerning political activities in the work place, a faculty member is free to express publicly, in speaking or writing, his or her own considered view or opinion of any or all matters which are felt from time to time to be in need of such expression, provided that such statement shall satisfy the requirement of professional dignity, is done in good taste and is sensitive to the importance of local customs. Such statements are represented as other than the private view of the person making them. With such freedom comes a responsibility of objectively, respect for the opinion of others, and a keen attention to the present means of bias and error, particularly when exploring controversial subjects.
When controversial matters arise, faculty and administrators are to address topics factually, and to refrain from using personal privilege or prestige to promote their own viewpoints. Futhermore, in no way should such views be distorted or implied to be the official position of the College or the Board of Higher Education. Controversial matters must be brought to the attention of the Dean of Academic Affairs.
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.
His/her special position in the community imposes special obligations. As a person of learning and an educational officer, he/she should remember that the public may judge his/her profession and the institution by his/her utterances. Hence he/she should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, and should show respect for the opinions of others.2
1 - ASCC Governance Manual, Policy 5002
2 - ASCC Catalog 2014 – 2016, p.43