Academic Freedom and Integrity in the Learning Environment

Whereas, Santa Rosa Junior College firmly supports and upholds Academic Freedom in both Board Policy and Article 9 of the AFA contract; and

Whereas, the Faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College have a strong commitment to First Amendment guarantees of free expression and debate for both students and teachers; and

Whereas, the ethics or our profession as educators requires that all teachers provide within the classroom and college an environment where students are free to express a wide range of viewpoints within the standards of scholarly inquiry; and

Whereas, pending legislation such as the so-called “student bill of rights” currently known as SB 5 (Student Bill of Rights) would legislatively eliminate academic freedom; and

Be It Resolved that the Academic Senate for Santa Rosa Junior College supports the Statewide Academic Senate’s Resolution opposing SB 5 and any other legislation that would limit academic freedom; and

Be It Resolved that the Academic Senate for Santa Rosa Junior College encourages SRJC to make students more aware of the established institutional grievance policies and procedures and students’ rights to utilize them; and

Be It Resolved that the Academic Senate for Santa Rosa Junior College requests that the Board of Trustees at Santa Rosa Junior College join the Academic Senate in condemning any action that stigmatizes faculty members or restricts academic freedom; and

Be It Resolved that the Academic Senate for Santa Rosa Junior College requests that the Board of Trustees and administration at Santa Rosa Junior College join the Academic Senate in supporting the academic freedom of our faculty and students by opposing SB5 and any other similar legislation.

Academic Senate

Approved: May 4, 2005