Academic Freedom (I.A.4)

Volume ­­I: Academic and Research Affairs
Chapter A: Education and Research
Responsible Executive: President
Responsible Office: Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Date Issued: February 1, 2020
Date Last Revised: N/A

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contacts
Statement of Policy
Reason for This Policy
Individuals and Entities Affected by This Policy
Exclusions
Responsibilities
Definitions (defined terms are capitalized throughout the document)
Related Documents, Forms and Tools
Website Address for This Policy
History and Updates
Appendix

CONTACTS

STATEMENT OF POLICY

Purdue University is committed to fostering a community where scholarship, research and creative expression thrive. Academic freedom is fundamental to the pursuit of knowledge because it encourages open discourse, inquiry and debate among faculty and students.

Distinct from academic freedom, the University recognizes and upholds the rights and protections guaranteed under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as more fully embodied in its Commitment to Freedom of Expression.

Faculty, lecturers, instructors, researchers and students have full freedom as researchers, scholars and artists, and are assured freedom to communicate their work, to advocate solutions to human problems and to criticize existing institutions. This freedom is subject only to adequate performance of their academic duties and to obligations they may have voluntarily assumed in accepting support for their scholarly work or research. It should be recognized that research activities are also subject to state and federal laws and regulations and to University policies and procedures,  including but not limited to Intellectual Property (I.A.1), Export Controls and OFAC Regulations (I.A.2), Research Misconduct (III.A.2) and those designed to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects.

Faculty, lecturers and instructors have freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject matter. They also have the responsibility to avoid infringing upon their students' right to learn by introducing irrelevant subject matter.

Tenured faculty members are members of society; when they speak or write in that capacity, freedom from University discipline prevails. The special position in the community enjoyed by a tenured faculty member, however, imposes special obligations. As a scholar and a member of the University faculty, the public may judge one's profession and the University by public utterances. A faculty member is expected to make every effort to indicate that they are not a spokesperson for the University when speaking or acting as a private person. A faculty member who assumes a governmental or political position or responsibility with the full consent and knowledge of the University is protected in their tenure rights in the event of controversy arising from the performance of such governmental or political duties.

REASON FOR THIS POLICY

The University reaffirms its commitment to academic freedom, which is essential to its educational mission and critical to diversity and intellectual life.

INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES AFFECTED BY THIS POLICY

Faculty, lecturers, instructors, researchers and students of Purdue University.

EXCLUSIONS

There are no exclusions to this policy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

President, Vice Presidents, Chancellors, Vice Chancellors, Vice Provosts, Deans, Directors and Department Heads/Chairs

• Recognize the academic freedom afforded to faculty members and students.

Faculty, Lecturers, Instructors and Researchers

• Recognize the academic freedom afforded to colleagues and students.
• In exercising one’s own academic freedom, remain faithful to one’s professional duties and obligations.

Students

• Recognize the academic freedom afforded to faculty, lecturers, instructors, researchers and fellow students.

DEFINITIONS

Defined terms are capitalized throughout the document and may be found in the central Policy Glossary.

RELATED DOCUMENTS, FORMS AND TOOLS

• Commitment to Freedom of Expression
• Intellectual Property (I.A.1)
• Export Controls and OFAC Regulations (I.A.2)
• Research Misconduct (III.A.2)
• Human Research Protection Program

WEBSITE ADDRESS FOR THIS POLICY

www.purdue.edu/policies/academic-research-affairs/ia4.html  

HISTORY AND UPDATES

February 1, 2020: This policy supersedes language that pertains to academic freedom in the Principles and Policies for Academic Freedom, Responsibilities and Tenure, and Procedures for Termination of Faculty Appointments for Cause (Executive Memorandum No. B-48), dated July 1, 1977.

APPENDIX

There are no appendices to this policy.