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All faculty members are entitled to academic freedom as defined in the "Statement of Principles of Academic Freedom and Tenure" formulated by the Association of American Colleges and the Association of University Professors in 1940 and which has been widely accepted by American colleges and universities. The pertinent provisions of the statement are as follows:
- Teachers are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of their other academic duties; but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of the institution.
- Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but should be careful not to introduce controversial matter which has no relation to the subject. Limitations of academic freedom because of religious or other aims of the institution should be clearly stated in writing at the time of the appointment.
- The college or university teacher is a citizen, a member of a learned profession, and an officer of an educational institution. When an individual speaks or writes as a citizen, he should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but the special position in the community imposes special obligations. As a person of learning and an educational officer, the university teacher should remember that the public may judge the profession and institution by his/her utterances. Hence, a person at all times should be accurate, exercise appropriate restraint, show respect for the opinions of others, and make every effort to indicate that he is not an institutional spokesperson.