UNC Plans to Define What Academic Freedom Is-and Isn't

""Now, late next month-more than a year after the effort began-the UNC Board of Governors is set to vote on a lengthy definition. It promises many of the protections contained in other descriptions of academic freedom, but it's drawn opposition from the state's American Association of University Professors arm over both the express limits it places on that freedom and what the AAUP calls vague language that could be used to further restrict classroom teaching.""

""Academic freedom is the foundational principle that protects the rights of all faculty to engage in teaching, research/creative activities, service, and scholarly inquiry without undue influence," the definition says. It goes on to say academic freedom includes the right to teach and research "controversial or unpopular ideas related to the discipline or subject matter." It also includes parameters saying what academic freedom isn't."

""Academic freedom is not absolute," the proposed new definition says."

The chair of the statewide University of North Carolina Faculty Assembly and the UNC system undertook a mission to write a consensus definition of academic freedom for the entire university system. Academic freedom scholars have long disagreed about its scope and protections. The effort occurred amid increased attacks on the concept from federal and state governments and institutions, and amid accusations that the UNC system itself has infringed academic freedom. More than a year after the effort began, the UNC Board of Governors is set to vote late next month on a lengthy definition that promises many traditional protections but also specifies limits. The state's AAUP opposes the definition over its express limits and vague language that could restrict classroom teaching. A board committee forwarded the definition to the full board after a roughly five-minute discussion with no dissent or questions from committee members.

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