A. Academic Freedom

Academic Responsibilities and Professional Obligations

The following statement is from the Knox College By-Laws:

The teacher is entitled to full freedom in research and in publication of its results, subject to the adequate performance of other academic duties. The teacher is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing a subject, but must be careful to avoid introducing controversial matters which have no relation to his or her subject. The college teacher is an individual, and a member of a learned profession, and of an educational institution. When one speaks or writes as an individual, one must be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but a special position in the community imposes special obligations. As a person of learning and an educational officer, one must remember that the public may judge the profession and the College by the utterances of individuals. Hence, one must make every effort to be accurate, must exercise appropriate restraint, must show respect for the opinions of others, and must make every effort to indicate that the individual is not speaking for the College. Charges that a teacher's writings or utterances bring the College into disrepute may be considered in cases arising under Section 2.b(2) of this Article VI. A teacher during the probationary period shall have the same academic freedom enjoyed by all other members of the faculty.