Dear FSU Colleagues,
An article in Inside Higher Ed earlier this week reviews a looming threat to academic freedom and academic free speech. See http://www.uff-fsu.org/art/ihe20091110.pdf
A few years ago a divided U.S. Supreme Court in its “Garcetti decision” narrowed public employees’ 1st amendment protections. How this applies to academe is not entirely clear, but as the IHE article recounts, the threat is real and significant. The AAUP is pushing for preemptive action on the part of public university administrations, and cites the University of Minnesota’s new policy as a possible model. You will see that the new Minnesota policy has much in common with the contractual protections provided in Article 5 (Academic Freedom and Responsibility) of our Collective Bargaining Agreement.* An important difference is that U of Minnesota can alter its unilateral policy at any time, and the enforceability of its faculty protections is not entirely clear.
Our policy is part of a legally binding contract. It is one of many faculty protections in which the UFF and our UFF-FSU Chapter take pride. Of course there is plenty of room for improvement in our contract in this and many other regards. But our faculty bargaining team needs your support to maintain and improve faculty protections. Add your voice to those of hundreds who have already done the right thing — if you are not already a member, join the UFF!
Best regards,
Jack Fiorito, President
UFF-FSU Chapter
*Article 5 of the UFF-FAU/FAUBOT Collective Bargaining Agreement addresses academic freedom as follows:
ARTICLE 5
ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY
5.1 Policy. The Board, the University, and the UFF are committed to maintaining and
encouraging full academic freedom. Academic freedom and academic responsibility are
twin guardians of the integrity of institutions of higher learning. This integrity is essential to
the preservation of a free society and explains the willingness of society historically to
accept the concept of academic freedom and, in addition, to protect it through the institution
of academic tenure.
5.2 Academic Freedom. The principal elements of academic freedom include the
freedom to:
(a) Present and discuss academic subjects, frankly and forthrightly, without fear
of censorship, and to select instructional materials and determine grades in accordance
with Board and University policies. The objective and skillful exposition of subject matter,
including the acknowledgement of a variety of scholarly opinions, is the duty of every
employee.
(b) Engage in scholarly and creative activity, and to publish results in a manner
consistent with professional obligations.
(c) Speak freely on, and seek changes in, academic and institutional policies.
(d) Exercise constitutional rights without institutional censorship or discipline.