ARTICLE 5

ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY

5.1 Policy. It is the policy of the Board and the UFF to maintain and encourage full academic freedom. Academic freedom and responsibility are essential to the full development of a true university and apply to teaching, research/creative activities, assigned service, and the activities set forth in Sections 10.4(d) and 10.4(e). An employee engaged in such activities shall be free to cultivate a spirit of inquiry and scholarly criticism and to examine ideas in an atmosphere of freedom and confidence.

5.2 Teaching and Research. Consistent with the exercise of academic responsibility, employees shall have freedom to present and discuss their own academic subjects, frankly and forthrightly, without fear of censorship, and to select instructional materials and determine grades in accordance with university and Board policies. Objective and skillful exposition of such subject matter, including the acknowledgment of a variety of scholarly opinions, is the duty of every such employee. Employees shall also be free to engage in scholarly and creative activity and publish the results in a manner consistent with their professional obligations.

5.3 Academic Responsibility. Academic freedom is accompanied by the corresponding responsibility to:

(a) Be forthright and honest in the pursuit and communication of scientific and scholarly knowledge;

(b) Respect students, staff, and colleagues as individuals; treat them in a collegial manner; and avoid any exploitation of such persons for private advantage;

(c) Respect the integrity of the evaluation process with regard to students, staff, and colleagues, so that it reflects their true merit;

(d) Indicate when appropriate that one is not an institutional representative unless specifically authorized as such; and

(e) Contribute to the orderly and effective functioning of the employee’s

academic unit (program, department, school, and/or college) and/or the university.

5.4 In addition to their assigned duties, employees have responsibilities arising from the nature of the educational process. Such responsibilities include, but are not limited to, observing and upholding the ethical standards of their discipline; participating, as appropriate, in the shared system of collegial governance, especially at the department/unit level; respecting the confidential nature of the relationship between professor and student; adhering to one’s proper role as teacher, researcher, intellectual mentor, and counselor; and conducting oneself in a collegial manner in all interactions.