Athens State University incorporates as part of its Official Employee Handbook the principles of freedom and responsibility for the common good as set forth in Section 6.1 of the handbook. As stated in the Employee Handbook, Athens State University is dedicated to the search for truth and its free advancement, and considers academic freedom essential to these purposes as it applies to both teaching and research. - Faculty members of Athens State University are entitled to academic freedom for their professional activities. Faculty should feel free to pursue responsible, scholarly activities which will benefit humanity as a whole. However, faculty members should recognize that their activities are subject to the review of their peers (see Section 7.3, Curriculum Review Process, also see ASU policy Academic Freedom).
- Faculty members are citizens, and should be free from institutional censorship or discipline when speaking or writing as citizens. However, faculty members should recognize that their special position in the community carries special obligations, and that the public will often judge their profession and their institution by their statements, whether oral, written, or electronic in nature.
Sufficient measures for the securing and protecting of academic freedom falls under Grievance Procedures in the Official Employee Handbook (Official Employee Handbook 2009, part 5.1F). This procedure says in part: Athens State University promotes the open exchange of ideas among all members of the University community - students, faculty, staff and administration. An environment conducive to the open exchange of ideas is essential for intellectual growth and positive change. However, the University recognizes that, at times, people may have differences which they are unable or unwilling to resolve themselves. The procedure described below shall be available to a University employee or student only after the employee or student has made every reasonable attempt to resolve his or her problem with the appropriate University official or representative. For an employee or student who has made a good faith effort to resolve a problem but who has been unable to resolve the matter informally, the University offers the following grievance procedure as the appropriate course of action for settling disputes and resolving problems. The rest of the policy is in Official Employee Handbook Grievance Procedures 5.1.F.
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