The Senate of Michigan Technological University

Superseded

PROPOSAL 1-64

ACADEMIC FREEDOM

 

WHEREAS Senate Resolution 3-59 on academic freedom contains no provision for freedom of extramural utterance on the part of the teacher; and

WHEREAS said resolution acknowledges none of the obligations or duties of academic freedom correlative with its rights; and

WHEREAS in an educational institution tenure should rest upon the base of academic freedom as well as provide for due process; and

WHEREAS in providing for a special Senate committee to which problems in connection with academic freedom are to be appealed, Senate Resolution 3-59 assumes the disparate nature of academic freedom and tenure:

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate rescind resolution 3-59 and in its stead endorse the following statement on academic freedom, as a step toward its adoption by the Administration, the Board of Control, and the Tenure Committee as basic to the tenure policy and the conduct of teaching, learning, and research at Michigan Technological University.

Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good and not to further the interest of either the individual teacher or the institution as a whole. The common depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition, both of which involve academic freedom and tenure, even before the latter is technically achieved.

Academic Freedom

Academic freedom is essential to effective teaching and research. Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the teacher in teaching and of the student to freedom in learning. Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth. Academic freedom carries with it duties correlative with rights.

  1. The teacher is entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of his other academic duties; but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of the institution.
  2. The teacher is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing his subject, but should be careful not to introduce into his teachings controversial matter which has no relation to his subject. Limitations of academic freedom should be clearly stated in writing at the time of appointment.
  3. The university teacher is a citizen as well as a member of a learned profession. When he speaks or writes as a citizen, he should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but his special position in the community imposes special obligations. As a man of learning and a teacher, he should remember that the public may judge his profession and his institution by his utterances. Hence he should at all times strive to be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should indicate that he is not an institutional spokesman.

Academic Tenure

Academic freedom can be meaningful only if bolstered by tenure as defined at Michigan Technological University. Both are indispensable to the success of an institution in fulfilling its obligations to its students and to society.

In accordance with those principles, it shall be the policy of the Michigan Technological University that no faculty member shall be denied the right of free expression, not shall he be dismissed or otherwise penalized for utterance made orally or in writing, within the framework and limitations of this statement. In the event of unresolved conflicts involving the academic freedom of a faculty member, these matters shall be referred to the University Committee on Faculty Tenure for study and recommendations.


Proposal Adopted by Senate: 2 March 1965
Board of Control Action: Adopted portion dealing with Academic Freedom: 15 October 1965
See Proposal 30-95