Understanding Academic Freedom

Colleges and universities have promoted the advancement of knowledge by granting instructors academic freedom, which is virtually unlimited freedom of speech and inquiry as long as human lives, rights, and privacy are not violated. Such freedom is not usually possible in other professions.

Most college instructors believe in the freedom to speak out, whether in a classroom discussion about economic policy or at a political rally. You will benefit by listening to what they have to say and respecting their ideas and opinions. Think of where education would be if instructors were required to keep their ideas to themselves. You won’t always agree with your instructors, and you might find that different instructors within the same academic field have different viewpoints on a single topic. Don’t let this confuse you. This “intellectual diversity” is one of the special features of almost all higher education environments, and it can help you understand that there is seldom one right answer to any complex question.

Academic freedom also extends to students. Within the limits of civility and respect for others, you will be free to express your opinions in a way that might be different from your experiences in high school or work settings.