Academic freedom is indispensable to institutions of higher learning in order to educate students and advance knowledge. Academic freedom gives faculty and students the freedom to investigate and discuss topics without fear of reprisal for alternative opinions in order to gain the best possible understanding of an issue. All members of the University shall support and protect this fundamental principle and work collaboratively to provide an environment of tolerance and mutual respect. Academic freedom is essential to both teaching and research for faculty, and to learning for students. Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth. Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the teacher in teaching and of the student to freedom in learning. It carries with it responsibilities correlative with rights. CHSU expects that its members exercise academic freedom responsibly. As highly trained professionals, faculty have the responsibility to their students and community for the quality of their teaching, scholarship, and student learning. The faculty has primary responsibility for contributing their knowledge to such fundamental areas as curriculum, subject matter, methods of instruction and assessment, and research. Faculty input is sought for those aspects of student life which relate to the educational process. Faculty are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing related subject matter. Faculty are free to pursue research and to publish their results.
The exercise of these freedoms is not to impinge upon the full and adequate performance of their responsibilities, including, but not limited to, teaching, service, and research.
Further details on academic freedom are available at CHSU Policies - California Health Sciences University under academic freedom Intellectual Honesty and Academic Integrity policy.