Academic Freedom

Athens Technical College’s definition of academic freedom is the same as that promulgated by the Technical College of Georgia, of which it is a member:

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) supports the concept of academic freedom. In the development of knowledge, research endeavors, and creative activities, faculty and students must be free to cultivate a spirit of inquiry and scholarly criticism. Faculty members are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject. Although caution must be used not to introduce teaching matters that have no relation to the instructional field, faculty and students must be able to examine ideas in an atmosphere of freedom and confidence and should feel free to participate as responsible citizens in community affairs. The Technical College System of Georgia and its institutions safeguard and protect these rights of academic freedom by providing faculty and students the right to initiate grievance procedures should they have complaints dealing with the infringement of or personal penalization as the result of the exercise of this freedom.

Faculty members must fulfill their responsibilities to society and to their profession by manifesting competence, professional discretion, and good citizenship. They will be free from institutional censorship or discipline when they speak or write as citizens. As professional educators, faculty members must be accurate, exercise appropriate restraint, show respect for the opinion of others, and make every effort to indicate they are not speaking for the institution.

The principles of academic freedom shall not prevent the institution from making proper efforts to ensure the best possible instruction for all students in accordance with the objectives of the institution.