Reaffirmed by the Board of Trustees of SUNY Rockland Community College on December 16, 1989 Note: The Rockland Community College Board of Trustees reaffirmed the policy of the State University of New York cited below. This policy on academic freedom is embodied in Article XI, Title I of the Policies of the Board, section 335.27 of Title 8 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York.
The teacher is entitled to full academic freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of his other academic duties, but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of this institution.
The teacher is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing his or her subject, but he or she should be careful not to introduce in his or her teaching controversial matter which has no relation to his or 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 one speaks or writes as a citizen, one should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but one’s special position in the community imposes special obligations. As a person of learning and an educational officer, one should remember that the public may judge one’s profession and institution by one’s utterances. Hence, one should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinion of others, and should make every effort to indicate that one is not an institutional spokesperson.