Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression Policy
A. Academic Freedom
Academic freedom guarantees that the University shall not abridge the right of faculty to speak, write, teach, create art and conduct research. All faculty have the right and the duty to participate freely in the search for and expression of knowledge and truth. It is the policy of Loyola to protect and encourage the academic freedom of all faculty, and to protect faculty members from pressure or influence that would restrict their academic freedom.
Loyola faculty are entitled to freedom in research/scholarship (including artistic accomplishment) and in the publication of the results. They are also entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing the subject matter of the course but should avoid persistently interjecting material that has no relation to the subject matter. Although a faculty member is free from institutional censorship or discipline in the exercise of his or her academic freedom, membership on the faculty at Loyola imposes certain obligations. As an educator and person of learning, a member of the faculty should strive at all times to be accurate, exercise appropriate restraint and judgment, foster and defend intellectual honesty and freedom of inquiry, show respect for the rights of others to express divergent ideas and opinions, and refrain from claiming to be an official spokesperson for the University. These academic freedom protections include engaging in law school governance, participating in law related public service activities, curating library collections and providing information services, and exercising teaching responsibilities, including those related to client representation in clinical programs.
Academic tenure helps sustain academic freedom. It contributes to the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty and works to ensure excellence in the quality of Loyola’s educational and research programs. The principles of academic freedom apply to church-related institutions of higher learning, such as Loyola, which take into consideration the authoritative teaching and tradition of the church to which the institution is related (in the case of Loyola, the Roman Catholic Church).
B. Freedom of Expression
The School of Law protects the rights of faculty, students, and staff to communicate ideas that may be controversial or unpopular, including through robust discourse in an environment that values inclusion, dignity, and mutual respect. To maintain a safe and respectful learning environment, the School of Law reserves the authority to proscribe disruptive conduct that endangers the University community, violates the law and/or other University policies, defames a specific individual, constitutes a genuine threat or harassment, unjustifiably invades the rights of others, interrupts the functioning of the University, or substantially interferes with the carrying out of law school functions or approved activities, such as classes, meetings, library services, interviews, ceremonies, and/or public events.
*Related policies: https://www.luc.edu/deanofstudents/communitystandards
A. Academic Freedom
Academic freedom guarantees that the University shall not abridge the right of faculty to speak, write, teach, create art and conduct research. All faculty have the right and the duty to participate freely in the search for and expression of knowledge and truth. It is the policy of Loyola to protect and encourage the academic freedom of all faculty, and to protect faculty members from pressure or influence that would restrict their academic freedom.
Loyola faculty are entitled to freedom in research/scholarship (including artistic accomplishment) and in the publication of the results. They are also entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing the subject matter of the course but should avoid persistently interjecting material that has no relation to the subject matter. Although a faculty member is free from institutional censorship or discipline in the exercise of his or her academic freedom, membership on the faculty at Loyola imposes certain obligations. As an educator and person of learning, a member of the faculty should strive at all times to be accurate, exercise appropriate restraint and judgment, foster and defend intellectual honesty and freedom of inquiry, show respect for the rights of others to express divergent ideas and opinions, and refrain from claiming to be an official spokesperson for the University. These academic freedom protections include engaging in law school governance, participating in law related public service activities, curating library collections and providing information services, and exercising teaching responsibilities, including those related to client representation in clinical programs.
Academic tenure helps sustain academic freedom. It contributes to the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty and works to ensure excellence in the quality of Loyola’s educational and research programs. The principles of academic freedom apply to church-related institutions of higher learning, such as Loyola, which take into consideration the authoritative teaching and tradition of the church to which the institution is related (in the case of Loyola, the Roman Catholic Church).
B. Freedom of Expression
The School of Law protects the rights of faculty, students, and staff to communicate ideas that may be controversial or unpopular, including through robust discourse in an environment that values inclusion, dignity, and mutual respect. To maintain a safe and respectful learning environment, the School of Law reserves the authority to proscribe disruptive conduct that endangers the University community, violates the law and/or other University policies, defames a specific individual, constitutes a genuine threat or harassment, unjustifiably invades the rights of others, interrupts the functioning of the University, or substantially interferes with the carrying out of law school functions or approved activities, such as classes, meetings, library services, interviews, ceremonies, and/or public events.
*Related policies: https://www.luc.edu/deanofstudents/communitystandards