Academic Freedom and Tenure: A Faculty Perspective

Spring
1998
Topic
Professional Standards
Committee
Educational Policies Committee

This position paper of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges lays out the Academic Senate's position in support of academic freedom and tenure. It includes a brief history of academic freedom in the United States, starting with the American Association of University Professors' fundamental policy statement from 1940. It demonstrates the connection between academic freedom and tenure and due process protections from the point of view of teaching institutions such as community colleges.

In the context of academic freedom it comments on the special situation of part‐time and contract faculty. The paper provides an annotated bibliography of resource materials on academic freedom and tenure. The paper also contains recommendations for local senates. The Academic Senate recommends wide distribution of this paper; it would be useful for both full‐ and part‐time faculty as well as for all members of the college community.