NYFA believes in the free pursuit of intellectual and artistic inquiry, as well as the exchange of ideas between instructors and students. Controversial subjects may be explored without fear of censure, retribution, or reprisal, so long as the work occurs within the scope of the NYFA education and is consistent with this Academic Freedom Policy.
Students, faculty and staff are free to express themselves and explore their artistic horizons as they see fit, provided that they remain in compliance with state and federal law, and so long as they can successfully demonstrate that the work discussed/performed/completed was created with artistic intent. Pornographic depictions created with commercial intent or used for commercial purposes will not be tolerated, and the creators of such work will be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension, expulsion, or termination. Work that contains nudity, graphic sexual depictions, extreme violence and/or excessive profanity may be precluded from a public screening at the discretion of the administration. Films precluded from public presentation may be screened in private for an appropriate, invited audience.
Instructors are free to discuss controversial subjects in class and screen controversial works without fear of reprisal, so long as the work serves the overall goal of NYFA curriculum and does not violate the NYFA Employee Handbook or any institutional or campus-wide policies.