Auburn University has adequate procedures in place to preserve and protect academic freedom. Auburn University’s Commitment to Academic Freedom Auburn University is committed to safeguarding and protecting academic freedom through three key mechanisms: (1) a clear policy, written by the faculty, endorsed by the Provost and President, and approved by the Board of Trustees; (2) an organizational culture promoting ongoing communication and collaboration among faculty and administrators that reinforces the principle of academic freedom on a continuing basis; and (3) procedural safeguards to protect these principles. Auburn University acknowledges that academic freedom is essential to achieving the scholarly goals of both teacher and student. The right to academic freedom carries with it correlative responsibilities. Faculty members must recognize their obligation to ensure that the University fulfills its obligations to students and society through the free exchange of ideas, the pursuit of knowledge, and tolerance for the opinions of others. Auburn University Policies on Academic Freedom Chapter 3 of The Faculty Handbook outlines procedures that protect academic freedom and assure fair treatment of constituents. The clear policy statement is found in Section 3.1 of the Auburn University Faculty Handbook, a living document produced by the faculty, endorsed by the administration, and approved as policy by the Auburn University Board of Trustees. The policy statement quotes directly and in full the most recent version of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure (3.1.1), then accompanies this with a corresponding statement pertaining to faculty responsibility (3.1.2). While the Faculty Handbook is administratively maintained by the Office of the Provost, it represents an important understanding between the faculty, administration, and governing board of the institution. Faculty are entitled to freedom in classroom discussions being careful not to introduce controversial matter unrelated to their academic discipline. They are freed from institutional censorship or discipline when speaking on matters related to their professional duties. They are entitled to full freedom in research and its publication while adequately performing other academic duties. Dismissal of tenured faculty is not used to restrain faculty members from exercising their academic freedom or other rights as protected by the United States Constitution. Faculty are free to choose instructional materials that are marketed and used nationally or regionally. Faculty are also encouraged to publish their own materials through reputable publishers. For materials to be used locally, faculty work with the Auburn University Bookstore to obtain copyright clearance, reproduce, bind, and distribute the material at cost plus overhead with no revenue to the faculty member or department. The Board of Trustees affirmed the principles outlined in the Faculty Handbook policy with the approval of their own policy on Academic Freedom in April 2021, an additional testament to Auburn University’s commitment to these values. Procedures to Protect Academic Freedom Faculty Grievance Committee In addition to institutional commitment, procedures that help safeguard academic freedom are found in the Auburn University Senate Constitution, Faculty Handbook Chapter 2, Section 2.1.2. Article 6 of the Constitution, titled “Faculty Grievance Procedure,” describes how any faculty member who feels their academic freedom may have been violated (among other alleged wrongful actions) may file a written complaint (without fear of reprisal) which is investigated carefully by the Faculty Grievance Committee using specific procedures stated within Article 6. The Faculty Grievance Committee is comprised solely of academic faculty, and has broad powers to hear and deliberate evidence, then provide a recommendation to the President regarding the disposition of the case and the proposed remedy. It then becomes the President’s responsibility to take appropriate action. A description and current roster for the Faculty Grievance Committee is included in the references. Because no grievances related to academic freedom have been filed since its 2013 reaffirmation, Auburn University is unable to provide specific examples of the grievance procedures being applied to claims for violation of academic freedom. However, it is typical for the Faculty Grievance Committee to hear several matters every semester related to other types of claims. The grievance process has proven to be effective in a variety of other cases and would work effectively in cases involving academic freedom as well. Tenure, Promotion, and Dismissal If a faculty member believes that they have been dismissed or denied promotion or tenure in violation of the university policy on academic freedom, they have a right to appeal. The appeal must be made in writing to the Provost through the department head and dean within 14 calendar days of the date of written notification of denial. The written request should include any relevant new material for the appeal committee consideration. Additional Protections of Academic Freedom Through strong relationships among the University Senate, the local AAUP chapter, and central university administration, ongoing communication further protects and sustains the university’s commitment to academic freedom. Cooperation Among Campus Leadership Elected faculty leaders meet with the Provost bi-weekly and the President, Provost, and Executive Vice President monthly to discuss items of mutual interest and concern about the operations and well-being of the institution and its faculty,. It is during these frequent meetings that potential problems are dealt with well before they rise to the level of a formal grievance being filed. The President and Provost also follow an “open door” practice with faculty. This practice is also typical of the management style of most of the deans and departmental leaders on campus. The Auburn University Senate also meets ten times each academic year to discuss a variety of matters relating to faculty responsibilities in academic decision-making are discussed and, where appropriate, to take formal actions. A schedule of University Senate meetings and samples of a recent agenda and minutes are included in the references,,. All agendas, minutes, and meeting recordings are available on the website for the University Senate. American Association of University Professors (AAUP), Auburn Chapter Auburn University’s active local chapter of the AAUP works hard to safeguard academic freedom on the campus. The chapter meets every semester to discuss campus issues and conduct business; the chapter annually awards the AAUP Glenn Howze Academic Freedom Award to a member of the Auburn University community who has "made significant contributions to advocating, protecting, and extending academic freedom at the university.” The Auburn chapter of AAUP also serves as an additional avenue—through its Committee on Academic Freedom—to investigate matters of academic freedom, issue reports, and recommend administrative action. In addition, the leadership of the local chapter of the AAUP meets periodically with the President, the Executive Vice President, and the Provost, as shown in minutes from a recent meeting. Auburn University’s full-time Ombudsperson serves as an additional outlet for faculty to discuss (in confidence) any concerns, including any that might touch on academic freedom. While the Ombudsperson has no authority to compel action, this individual can interpret policies to faculty members and administrators, help them explore means to resolve issues, and serve as a sounding board to members of the university community. Over the past several years, the Ombudsperson has seen on the order of 100 faculty members annually. This informal problem resolution process has helped considerably to strengthen a culture intended to safeguard al faculty rights, including academic freedom. The institution's clear policy statement on academic freedom, the effective grievance procedure available to safeguard that policy, and the many informal problem-resolution channels that permeate the current organizational culture of the institution are intended to ensure that academic freedom is understood, accepted, preserved, and protected at Auburn University. |