Resolution Concerning the Principle of Academic Freedom

In February 2018, the Senate acknowledged that Academic freedom has no formal definition in the Faculty Handbook of Columbia University but rather is loosely described by implication in Appendix B of that document:

• "Academic freedom implies that all officers of instruction are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects; that they are entitled to freedom in research and in the publication of its results; and that they may not be penalized by the University for expressions of opinion or associations in their private or civic capacity; but they should bear in mind the special obligations arising from their position in the academic community";

Faculty and students both have the responsibility, when engaging in contentious and emotionally charged discussions, to respond critically to each other's reasoning and challenge each other to reexamine their own beliefs, and to do so in a civil, tolerant manner with respect to the right for a person to hold ideas that differ from one's own. The right to protest on campus is governed exclusively through the Rules of University Conduct and the University Senate's Rules Committee and, therefore, not by this
resolution.

The Senate resolved to acknowledge and respect the following principles of Academic Freedom:

• Members of the Columbia community must strive to continue to create an environment in which they are free to respectfully disagree with one another; and
• The freedom to disagree must not be taken as a freedom to be disrespectful to, or to abuse, the person with whom we are disagreeing; and
• Faculty are free to hold and express their own ideas and values, including but not limited to those which may or may not agree with those of their colleagues and students; and
• Students are likewise free to hold and express their own ideas and values, including but not limited to those which may or may not agree with their peers and faculty.

The Senate adopted this resolution as amended, by a show of hands, 54-0.