GEORGIAN COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY
Academic  and Student Services

Procedure #1 – 129

Effective Date: February 21, 2007

ACADEMIC FREEDOM POLICY

PURPOSE:
To ensure professors, students and the wider College community have 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 college community shall support and protect this fundamental principle and work collaboratively to provide an environment of tolerance and mutual respect while respecting the dignity and worth of every person.

SCOPE:
Academic freedom is ensured in appropriate research, classroom discussions, and discussion groups involving students, staff and other members of our community. Georgian expects that its members exercise academic freedom responsibly. Academic freedom does not relieve anyone in the college community from his/her obligations or duties inherent in the roles associated with the teaching and learning process or Ontario Human Rights policy and legislation and the Criminal Code of Canada.

This policy stands beside the Code of Conduct Procedure in place at the college and does not see these values as contradicting academic freedom.

It is recognized that while all employees of Georgian have rights as citizens, they should make every effort when speaking or writing as citizens that they are not representing the college on matters of public interest.

RATIONALE:
All college community members should be able to work, teach, and learn, in an atmosphere which is free from harassment and discrimination. Georgian College values positive and supportive interaction among all members of the college community.

This policy protects the individuality of scholarly investigation, recognizes the responsibility for academic rigour, and promotes the responsible sharing of ideas and research.

Employees of the College should not fear reprisal for speaking out on topics of public interest.

PRINCIPAL:

Vice President Academic

Associate Vice President,

University Partnership Centre Deans

PROCESS: Concerns regarding the Academic Freedom Policy would be addressed using the Resolution Procedures from the Code of Conduct, Procedure # 4-136.

GEORGIAN COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY
Academic Procedure #1 – 129

Effective Date: Feb 21, 2007

ACADEMIC FREEDOM POLICY

Prepared by: Cherylyn Cameron, Linda Love

Recommended by: College Planning Committee
Date: February 21, 2007

Approved by: Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO
Date: February 22, 2007