SAN FRANCISCO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICTACADEMIC FREEDOMA. General PrinciplesThe District is unequivocally and unalterably committed to the principle of academic freedom in its true sense which includes freedom to study, freedom to learn and freedom to teach and provide educational professional services to students. Academic freedom encompasses the right of an instructor to discuss in the classroom pertinent subjects within his or her field of professional competency and consistent with course objectives, and for counselors, librarians and other academic employees to provide appropriate student services within their fields of professional competency and consistent with sound educational principles. Interference with or censure of an academic employee by District officials or by outside individuals or groups because of the employee's proper treatment of pertinent subjects or provision of proper educational professional services to students is precluded by the principle of academic freedom. Faculty cannot, however, expect academic freedom to be unlimited, for the right to exercise any liberty implies a duty to use it responsibly. Academic freedom does not give faculty freedom to engage in indoctrination. Nor can faculty invoke the principle of academic freedom to justify non-professional conduct. An essential point that pertains to academic freedom and that must be considered in relation to subject matter or to professional services to the student is the criterion of suitability. Does the subject matter, material to be studied, or educational professional services to the student contribute to the attainment of course objectives or achievement of an educational principle? Is the subject or material unnecessarily offensive to members of the class? The special interests of faculty or the opinion of a person or persons in a class should not supersede the right of other students to be protected against irrelevant, or obscene materials or presentations. B. Textbook SelectionThe College shall develop a procedure for the selection of textbooks that recognizes the basic right and duty of the faculty to be the primary agent in the process. Since students in most instances must purchase books, the procedure should take cognizance of the financial consideration that may be imposed upon the student. C. Selection of Library MaterialsThe library faculty, as a part of the educational program, shall have the same freedoms guaranteed the teaching faculty and students and shall choose books and other resources based on their interest, information and potential for enlightenment of students. So far as practical, books and other resources will be selected to present all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times, international, national, and local. No books shall be excluded because of the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnic group identification, ancestry, marital status, age, physical or mental disability or the political or philosophical views of the writer. The selection of textbooks, library books and other resources must be free of improper influence by publishers or manufacturers and no employee may accept anything of value from publishers or manufacturers for the purpose of influencing the selection of any textbook, library books or other educational resource. The acceptance of a desk copy of a textbook by an employee which he/she may consider using in his/her course shall be allowable. D. Public ForumsIn keeping with the philosophy of intellectual freedom and the responsibility of the Community College District for services to its community, public forums presenting speakers with varying points of view may be offered to the local community as part of the educational program. All proposals for special programs and projects, involving requests for financial assistance from outside funding sources such as governmental agencies, foundations or special organizations, shall be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval prior to the submission of a formal application to such outside groups.
Approved by District Board of Trustees |