Background
In July 2018, questions about academic freedom arose during litigation over the campus carry law before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. President Gregory L. Fenves addressed the central importance of academic freedom in a letter to UT Austin’s Faculty Council. The litigation has subsequently been dismissed by the 5th Circuit.
Statement
Excerpt from President Gregory L. Fenves’ letter to Faculty Council, July 18, 2018:
“The academic freedom of our faculty to express, learn, teach and discover is at the very foundation of The University of Texas at Austin’s mission. Faculty members’ rights to academic freedom are well established in higher education, and the rights that we recognize at UT Austin are consistent with those norms, including AAU’s statement on academic freedom. Individual faculty members have these rights under the UT System Board of Regents rules.”
Related Policies
News
What Is Academic Freedom? Statement That Alarmed Professors at U. of Texas Sets Off Debate – Chronicle of Higher Education – July 24, 2018
Competing Views of Academic Freedom at UT Land Before Appeals Court – Austin American-Statesman – July 26, 2018
Quick Link
UT Austin’s A1 Committee of Counsel on Academic Freedom and Responsibility