b. Academic Freedom
Academic freedom is essential to accomplish the mission of the MGH Institute. Academic freedom means that:
- Faculty members are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of their other academic duties and in accordance with policies on research and conflicts of interest;
- Faculty members are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they should be careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to their subject; and
- Faculty members are citizens and members of a learned profession. When they speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position in the community imposes special obligations. As scholars and educational professionals, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and the MGH Institute by their utterances. Hence, they should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the Institute.
(Adapted from the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure of the American Association of University Professors.)
Like other freedoms, academic freedom is not absolute and can be properly and reasonably restricted. Academic freedom is for the common good and not to further the interest of any individual faculty member.