Academic Freedom
The College recognizes the necessity for freedom in legitimate academic decisions that foster an environment where faculty and students can freely inquire, study, and evaluate in order to gain greater understanding. To that end, the College endeavors to give faculty members the freedom to conduct individual academic affairs in accordance with North Carolina Community College System guidelines and college policies.
- Faculty members will conduct themselves within the boundaries of the law as established by the North Carolina General Statutes and the State Board Code of Community Colleges.
- In alignment with the course description approved by the State Board, and located in the North Carolina Community College System Combined Course Library, faculty members shall use appropriate material in developing and implementing course content. Faculty members shall refrain from introducing materials that have no bearing or academic relationship to the particular class or subject matter.
- In the academic setting, faculty members shall refrain from insisting upon the adoption of any particular point of view as authoritative in controversial issues. Engaging in personal attacks during any discussion should be avoided by faculty members and students.
- Faculty members, in accordance with college policies, shall use their best judgment in conducting classes and in interactions with other members of the College community.
- Faculty members shall keep abreast of the main academic trends and themes in their respective fields and incorporate these into their scholarship and teaching.
- Faculty members shall engage in teaching strategies that support student learning and success, subject to reasonable guidelines reflected in College, departmental, and faculty policies and procedures. Faculty members shall also require an amount and quality of work from their students which is consistent with the level of course and program in which the student is enrolled.
Any questions or issues concerning the parameters of academic freedom at this College should be addressed to the appropriate Dean. In the event the faculty member cannot reach an informal resolution, the faculty member may file a grievance pursuant to Policy 03.03.08. – Grievance.
This Policy is not intended to limit the rights of faculty or students in discussing any matter outside of the academic setting. However, no College employee or student shall purport to speak on behalf of the College unless specifically authorized to do so by an authorized College official.
