Accreditation Standards Revision - Academic Freedom

Spring
1996
Resolution Number
02.05
 
Category
Accreditation
Status
Completed
Status Report

Forward to Accrediting Comm--The Commission accepted the recommendation of the Academic Senate and reworded the standard to maintain the strong commitment to academic freedom.

Whereas the Accrediting Commission has held a strong, clear, solid position on academic freedom as indicated by the standard on academic freedom as currently stated in Standard 1A. 2.: "Governing boards and administrators protect and support faculty in their exercise of academic freedom. The faculty protects the academic freedom of its members," and

Whereas academic freedom provides one with the ability to express thought, publish, research, and teach based upon one's professional judgment and expertise, without fear of discipline or reprisal for such views or action that are antithetical to the views of the governing board, administration, or one's colleagues, and

Whereas the proposed accreditation standards on academic freedom not only are weaker, but actually are silent on the responsibility for the faculty and administration to protect academic freedom; instead the standard states the institution must have a published statement which simply states the "...institutional commitment to the free pursuit and dissemination of knowledge..," and

Whereas the absence of strong standards on academic freedom compromises the credibility and academic integrity of a learning institution, and academic freedom is a much more comprehensive and complex concept than a mere "commitment to free pursuit and dissemination of knowledge" and the nation, including the western region, deserves the right to attend accredited institutions that meet high standards and demonstrate sound academic policies and practices,

Resolved that the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges strongly urge the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges to maintain their existing strong commitment to the safeguarding of academic freedom as currently stated in Standard 1A 2: "Governing boards and administrators protect and support faculty in their exercise of academic freedom. The faculty protects the academic freedom of its members," and

Resolved that the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges strongly urge the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges to demonstrate the maintenance of that commitment by abandoning the proposed weak standard on academic freedom, and maintaining the existing strong standard on academic freedom.
M/S/U Disposition: Accrediting Commission, Executive Committee, Local Senates