Academic Freedom

Mount Carmel College of Nursing supports the concept of academic freedom. The College views academic freedom as essential to the promotion of inquiry and the advancement of truth. Academic freedom is accomplished by academic responsibility, which requires service that is consistent with the Mission of the College. Academic freedom in a Roman Catholic institution implies respect for the doctrines of the Roman Catholic faith in teaching, scholarly activity, and community service.

Faculty are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject. Faculty should be careful not to introduce controversial matters having no relation to the subject. Academic freedom applies to all who have teaching responsibilities in the College.

Faculty are expected to engage in scholarly activity and community service. Scholarly activity undertaken for monetary return should be negotiated with the administration of the College in regard to time and service. Faculty are individuals, members of a profession, and members of an educational institution. When faculty speak or write as individuals, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their statements. Individual responsibility, when speaking on a professional topic, is difficult to differentiate from the employment role. Thus, faculty should speak with accuracy and exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinion of others, and should clearly state that they are speaking as individuals, rather than as representatives of the College. College letterhead should be used only for official College business.

The following is taken from the American Council on Education’s “Statement on Academic Rights and Responsibilities.”

Colleges and universities should welcome intellectual pluralism and the free exchange of ideas.  Such a commitment will inevitably encourage debate over complex and difficult issues about which individuals will disagree.  Such discussions should be held in an environment characterized by openness, tolerance and civility. 

Academic decisions including grades should be based solely on considerations that are intellectually relevant to the subject matter under consideration.  Neither students nor faculty should be disadvantaged or evaluated on the basis of their political opinions.  Any member of the campus community who believes [they have] been treated unfairly on academic matters must have access to a clear institutional process by which [their] grievance can be addressed.