It is expected that both the institution and its staff will uphold and advance the principles embodied in this Code. Section 1 Matters of Particular Relevance to Academic Staff Academic Freedom and Responsibility Academic staff have a responsibility to advance and disseminate knowledge and understanding, and thus they strive for excellence in research, scholarship, practice and teaching. They also have a responsibility to participate effectively in the operation of the University for these purposes. The traditional and statutory responsibility of academic staff to act as critics and conscience of society is affirmed. Academic freedom is essential to the research, scholarship, practice and teaching roles of the University.
All academic staff have the right to academic freedom.
This academic freedom carries with it the duty of every academic to use this freedom in a manner consistent with the obligation to base research, scholarship, practice and teaching on an honest search for and dissemination of knowledge. Academic staff should thus engage in research, scholarship and teaching only in areas where they have expertise, and should distinguish clearly between such areas and matters of personal opinion. The activities of academic staff should be consistent with the responsible use of academic freedom and academic staff should in no way act or omit to act so as to limit unreasonably the academic freedom of any other person. The commitment of the University of Waikato and the responsibility of academic staff to contribute to the implementation of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi is affirmed. The role of academic staff in the achievement of equity by way of equal educational and employment opportunities is affirmed.