Draft Statement on Academic Freedom Beyond the Classroom  

Following the Board of Regents endorsement of the University's Strategic Plan in December of 2020, the Provost invited the two of us to serve as co-chairs of a committee whose charge was to proactively develop an Institutional Statement on Academic Freedom Beyond the Classroom rooted in the University's Catholic identity. In February 2021, a representative cross-University ad hoc committee was charged with fulfilling the above task.

This ad-hoc committee included representatives from every University Division, three priests, and in alignment with shared governance, faculty appointed by the Faculty Senate, as well as students. The ad hoc committee has also benefitted from the guidance of Dr. Thomas Flynn, a former Catholic college president and current Senior Associate for Advising and Consulting with the Association of Catholic Colleges & Universities (ACCU).

We began our work with education and reflection. A special presentation and discussion by Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, C.M., president of ACCU, ignited this group's passion for its charge. The ad hoc committee also reviewed guiding documents from the ACCU and several benchmarked statements from other institutions.

Following this thoughtful and engaging period, a sub-committee of the greater group drafted the Prologue, Principles and Guidelines specifically addressing Invited Speakers; Performing Arts and Artistic Expression; Honorary Degrees and Major University Awards; and Student Demonstrations, as charged. Input and feedback from the full ad hoc committee was incorporated regularly along each step of the iterative process.

After soliciting input from the Deans and Executive Cabinet, a brief review by the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board, and a review by the Priest Advisory Council, the draft statement received initial feedback from the Board of Regents at its annual retreat in September 2021. The draft statement was also shared with the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate in August 2021. All of the feedback received to date was reviewed and considered for incorporation into the draft now being shared with the University community.

We would like to invite you to join us for an informational session on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Jubilee Hall Auditorium. During this time, members of the ad hoc committee will present the draft statement, answer questions you may have, and collect community feedback. You can also submit feedback through November 5, 2021.

Register and Submit Feedback

Our intention is to bring to the December meeting of the Board’s Academic Affairs Committee a final draft statement that the University community at-large will find useful, meaningful and informative when making decisions going forward. If the Academic Affairs Committee approves the draft, it will be sent next to the Board of Regents and then to the Board of Trustees.

Categories: Campus Life