CAUT Canadian Association of University Teachers ACPU Association Canadienne des Professeurs d'Universite' ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 294 rue Albert St., Suite 308, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P6E6 phone: (613) 237-6885 fax: (613) 237-2105 Policy Statement on Academic Freedom ------------------------------------ The common good of society depends upon the search for knowledge and its free exposition. Academic freedom in universities is essential to both these purposes in the teaching function of the university as well as in its scholarship and research. Academic staff shall not be hindered or impeded in any way by the university or the faculty association from exercising their legal rights as citizens, nor shall they suffer any penalties because of the exercise of such legal rights. The parties agree that they will not infringe or abridge the academic freedom of any member of the academic community. Academic members of the community are entitled, regardless of prescribed doctrine, to freedom in carrying out research and in publishing the results thereof, freedom of teaching and of discussion, freedom to criticize the university and the faculty association, and freedom from institutional censorship. Academic freedom does not require neutrality on the part of the individual. Rather, academic freedom makes commitment possible. Academic freedom carries with it the duty to use that freedom in a manner consistent with the scholarly obligation to base research and teaching on an honest search for knowledge. Approved by the Council, May 1977