FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM


Academic Rights and Freedoms of Students from the University of Hawai`i at Manoa Catalog 2001-2002

The University of Hawai`i, like all state universities, embraces those aspects of academic freedom that guarantee the freedom to teach and the freedom to learn. Free inquiry and free expression for both students and faculty are indispensable and inseparable. Students, whether from the United States or from foreign countries, as members of the academic community are encouraged to develop a capacity for critical judgement and to engage in a sustained and independent search for truth.

For its part, the University guarantees all students the freedom of silence. No student is required to engage in research on any topic or to make statements of any kind, unless it is the student's wish to do so.

http://www.catalog.hawaii.edu/reference/appendix.htm

 

Preamble of the U.S. Constitution

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and out posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

http://www.law.cornell.edu

 

Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

http://www.un.org

American Council of Trustees and Alumni

Academic freedom is a modern term for an idea with roots in ancient Greece: the right to follow an argument, wherever it may lead. It is the belief that intellectual inquiry must be protected against those who, for whatever reason, may try to deny it, shape it, silence it, or punish it; and that unfettered pursuit of truth is central to the purpose of the college or university and fundamental for human progress.

The ideals of academic freedom and free speech are at the core of the American academic tradition. Teachers must be free to teach, students must be free to learn, and freedom in research is essential to the advancement of truth.

Also see the ACTA document "Defending Civilization: How Our Universities Are Failing America And What Can Be Done About It."

http://www.goacta.org/freedom.htm

http://www.goacta.org

American Civil Liberties Union

While we firmly support the Administration in its efforts to prevent another September 11, we cannot abide--- nor can the American commitment to liberty and democracy support--- any attempt by the Administration to dictate or coerce the thoughts we think or the opinions we hold. Thinking critically about government policy is the strongest shield against government excess.

We will continue to voice our disagreement when we feel government has stepped out of bounds and will do so with the conviction that one of the highest forms of patriotism is devotion to the Constitution and the freedoms guaranteed within, including the right to speak out in disagreement with the powers that be.

http://www.aclu.org/news/2001/n121001b.html

 

American Association of University Professors

http://www.aaup.org

 

First Amendment Cyber-Tribune

http://w3.trib.com/FACT/

 

The First Amendment Project

The First Amendment Project (FAP) is a non-profit, public interest law firm established in 1991 to protect, defend, and further the rights to participate in and know about government activities and speak freely about public issues.

http://www.thefirstamendment.org

 

Foundation for Individual Rights in Education

http://www.thefire.org

 

The Freedom Forum

The Freedom Forum is a nonpartisan foundation dedicated to free press, free speech and free spirit for all people.

http://www.freedomforum.org

 

American Anthropological Association

See under the AAA Committee on Ethics the sections regarding the anthropology teacher’s responsibility to students in the “Principles of Professional Responsibility” (1971) and the “Code of Ethics” (1998).

http://www.aaanet.org