Academic Freedom

Academic institutions in a democratic society exist for the pursuit of truth, the development and conservation of knowledge, the transmission of learning, and the enhancement of the general well-being of such society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals. The University of Louisville is, therefore, committed to protecting the academic freedom of all members of the University community.

Freedom to learn and freedom to teach are inseparable facets of academic freedom. Students have a right to their own views on matters of opinion, rather than fact, and a right to express those views in appropriate ways without fear of arbitrary reaction or improper disclosure of such opinions outside the classroom.

Teachers are entitled to full freedom in research, publication, academic evaluation, and classroom expression. Academic freedom carries the corresponding responsibilities to be thoroughly prepared and well informed in their fields of knowledge and to be scrupulous in distinguishing between personal and professional judgments and between fact and opinion.

Membership in the academic community imposes on students, faculty, staff, administrators, and trustees of the University an obligation to adhere to standards of academic honesty, to respect the dignity of others, to acknowledge their right to express differing opinions, and to foster and defend intellectual honesty, freedom of inquiry and instruction, and free expression both on and off the campus.

Source: University of Louisville Redbook, Section 2.5.1, approved July 1979.