What is Academic Freedom?

Academic freedom is here understood in a manner compatible with the University of Waterloo's Memorandum of Agreement:

• Academic freedom provides the possibility of learning without deference to prescribed doctrine. It entails the freedom of the scholar to teach, publish and openly discuss. 
• It entails the freedom to criticize the University free from institutional censorship.
• The common good of society depends upon an unhampered search for truth and its free expression.
• Academic freedom carries with it the duty to conduct scholarship honestly and ethically.
• Censorship of information is inimical to the free pursuit of learning.
  

Maintaining Freedom in Teaching, Research and Scholarship

In pursuit of their scholarly goals, members of the university may take positions that are not in accord with popular beliefs. We oppose measures such as speech codes, codes of conduct, or anti-hate speech legislation that may infringe on the right and responsibility of the academic community (faculty and students) to teach and do research on controversial subjects.

Waterloo SAFS does not concede that academic freedom must be balanced against inclusivity. Nor should it be compromised in the name of safety, harm-mitigation, to create a welcome environment, to make individuals feel valued, to foster respect, or to minimize oppression.

Words are not violence.

Maintaining Standards of Excellence in Academic Decisions about Students and Faculty

Many universities have policies that are discriminatory to the extent that they favour groups of students or faculty on the basis of race, sex, etc. Such preferential treatment is unfair, is damaging to academic excellence, and stigmatizes the very groups so favoured. We espouse equality of opportunity but oppose preferential treatment.

Executive Committee