Academic Freedom

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Subject: Academic FreedomNumber: AOP 218
Issued by: Vice-President AcademicDate Issued: June 2013
Supersedes: NewPage: 1 of 1
Related Documents and LinksRevision Date: August 2020
1. Introduction and Purpose 

Academic freedom is fundamental to the mandate of post-secondary institutions to pursue truth, educate students and disseminate knowledge and understanding.

Loyalist College is committed to upholding and preserving principles of academic freedom as outlined in this policy.   

2. Application 

This policy applies to all faculty, staff and students of the College. 

3. Definitions 

Academic Freedom – the freedom of research; of legitimate classroom discussion and the advocacy of alternative opinions in the College’s learning environment. 

4. Policy Statement 

All College members including faculty, staff and students, shall support and protect this fundamental principle and work collaboratively to provide an environment of tolerance and mutual respect. Every member of the College should be able to work, teach and learn in an atmosphere which is free from harassment and discrimination. 

Academic freedom includes protecting the rights of the teacher and of the student to learn. In research and scholarship, academic freedom is critical to advancing knowledge. Academic freedom also includes the right to freely communicate knowledge and the results of research and scholarship.

Loyalist College is committed to exercising academic freedom responsibly. Views expressed by its community are to be based on solid research, data and evidence, and founded on the standard that the College is autonomous and committed to the principle of integrity. Academic freedom does not relieve any member of the College from their obligations or duties inherent in the roles associated with the teaching and learning process or the Ontario Human Rights Code. 

Loyalist College recognizes that employees have rights as citizens however, it requires that employees make every effort when speaking or writing as citizens to clarify that they are not representing the College on matters of public interest.

6. References 
  • Ontario Human Rights policy
  • Universities Canada’s Statement on Academic Freedom