University of Virginia Library

Academic Freedom

For the fullest, most comprehensive
educational experience to be obtained by
both the individual student and faculty
member there must be a preservation of the
intellectual freedoms of teaching, expression,
research, and debate within the University.
The American Association of University
Professors, a 90,000 member organization
that has been a leader in setting standards of
academic freedom for over forty-five years,
recently called for adherence to basic norms
of professional responsibility and academic
freedom in a statement on "Freedom and
Responsibility".

The elected Council of the Association felt
that a statement on academic freedom and
responsibility was necessary at this time due
to the "continuing attacks on the integrity of
our universities and on the concept of
academic freedom itself." No doubt the
campaign rhetoric from officials of the Nixon
Administration, most notably from
Vice-President Agnew, during this year's
elections sparked this definitive statement by
the Association.

The Association speaks to both sides of
the political spectrum: "Membership in the
academic community imposes on students,
faculty members, administrators, nd
trustees an obligation to respect the dignity of
others, to acknowledge their right to express
differing opinions, and to foster and defend
intellectual honesty, freedom of inquiry and
instruction, and free expression on and off
the campus. The expression of dissent and the
attempt to produce change, therefore, may
not be carried out in ways which injury
individuals or damage institutional facilities or
colleagues. Speakers on campus must not only
be protected from violence, but given an
opportunity to be heard. Those who seek to
call attention to grievances must not do so in
ways that significantly impede the functions
of the institutions."

The Association further admonishes those
professors that evaluate their students on
other criteria besides academic performance,
such as personal or political beliefs: "It is a
teacher's mastery of his subject and his own
scholarship which entitle him to his classroom
and to freedom in the presentation of his
subject."

Many extremist have raised the banner of
absolutism. Since their ideas alone hold truth,
they have reserved the right to pass judgement
on all ideas. Ideas with which they do not
agree must not be heard. Speakers must be
shouted down. Certain books and
publications must not be available to the
public. Certain professors must not be
allowed access to the lecture. We not only
agree with the American Association that the
authoritarianism of the right and the left is
deplorable and dangerous, but that faculties
and students must positively protect academic
freedom within universities.

There are those in political power who
argue that certain ideas and thoughts are so
outrageous that the public, especially the
youth, must be protected from them. They
must not be exposed or "brainwashed" in the
schools. We remind them that, as Justice
Holmes wrote, "Every idea is an incitement."
All ideas can potentially move men to action,
either positive or negative, but we must
maintain a free society where all ideas can be
heard. As Mr. Jefferson noted, this free
government is "a bold and doubtful election,"
and the temptation during critical times is
great to cut away risky freedoms. However,
we must remember that when a course of
freedom seems to be fraught with danger, it is
most precious to us, for if we sacrifice liberty
for order then, is it worth anything during
times of peace?

We live in times that have placed heavy
demands on freedom within the University. It
is precisely in these times that we must be
most vigilant in protecting open discourse and
debate within the University community,
especially protecting the rights of the most
controversial to write, speak, and be heard.