Academic Freedom and Civil Liberties of Students at Hofstra University

(For the complete policy, please refer to FACULTY POLICY SERIES #12 (Rev. 2010) ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OF STUDENTS AT HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY.)

Since students rightly seek a voice in the determination of University policy, it is appropriate for the faculty to state its views regarding the proper freedom and responsibilities of university and college students. In the pursuit of knowledge, critical thinking, and understanding, the student must be viewed as an individual who is most likely to attain maturity if left free to make responsible personal decisions and to exercise the rights, as well as shoulder the responsibilities that this freedom entails, especially within the University community. 

I. THE UNIVERSITY, THE COMMUNITY, AND THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS 

The university, which wishes to set an example of open-minded inquiry in its classrooms, will defeat its purpose if it denies the same right of inquiry to its students outside the classroom. The university should protect the student from, and resist itself, any pressures from within or without that would prevent or thwart freedom of inquiry. Open-minded inquiry, however, entails equally the burden of responsibility in and out of the classroom…