SECTION 1: ACADEMIC FREEDOM

Every faculty member shall enjoy the privileges and accept the obligations of academic freedom. The college faculty, administration and trustees subscribe to the guidelines for the understanding of academic freedom set forth in the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure (see Simpson College Faculty Handbook Part VII, Appendix A) formulated by the Association of American Colleges (AAC) and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). The following information from the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure express the Simpson College’s faculty core understanding of academic freedom:

• The teacher is entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of his/her other academic duties; but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of the institution.
• The teacher is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing his/her subject, but he/she should be careful not to introduce into his/her teaching controversial matter that has no relation to his/her subject. Limitations of academic freedom because of religious or other aims of the institution should be clearly stated in writing at the time of the appointment.
• The college or university teacher is a citizen, a member of a learned profession, and an officer of an educational institution. When he/she speaks or writes as a citizen, he/she should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but his/her special position in the community imposes special obligations. As a person of learning and an educational officer, one should remember that the public might judge the profession and the institution by his/her utterances. Hence, he/she should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, and should make every effort to indicate that he/she is not an institutional spokesperson.

The relationship of the college to The United Methodist Church imposes no limitations upon the academic freedom of the faculty as outlined in the above statement. It is expected, however, that those serving the college - faculty or administration - understand and accept this relationship and fulfill their respective professional functions in general sympathy with the nature and objectives of the institution as a church-related college of liberal arts, which is non-sectarian in academic requirements and program.