West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 133 - Higher Education Policy Commission › Title 133 - LEGISLATIVE RULE WEST VIRGINIA HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY COMMISSION › Series 133-09 - Academic Freedom, Professional Responsibility, Promotion And Tenure › Section 133-9-2 - Academic Freedom and Professional Responsibility

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
2.1. Academic freedom at public institutions
				of higher education in West Virginia under the jurisdiction of the Higher
				Education Policy Commission is necessary to enable the institutions to perform
				their societal obligation as established by the Legislature. The Commission
				recognizes that the vigilant protection of constitutional freedoms is nowhere
				more vital than in the institutions under its jurisdiction. Faculty members and
				students must always remain free to inquire, study, and evaluate.
2.2. Through the exercise of academic
				freedom, members of the academic community freely study, discuss, investigate,
				teach, conduct research, and publish, depending upon their particular role at
				the institution. To all of those members of the academic community who enjoy
				academic freedom, there are, commensurate with such freedom, certain
				responsibilities. All faculty members shall be entitled to full freedom in
				research and in the publication of the results of such research, subject to the
				adequate performance of their other academic duties, which may include
				designated instruction, research, extension service, and other professional
				duties. Activity for pecuniary return that interferes with one's obligations to
				the institution should be based upon an understanding, reached before the work
				is performed, with the authorities of the institution. Further, each faculty
				member is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing the subject
				taught. In addition, when faculty members speak or write as citizens outside
				the institution, they shall be free from institutional censorship or
				discipline.
2.3. The concept of
				academic freedom is accompanied by an equally important concept of academic
				responsibility. The faculty member at a public institution of higher education
				in West Virginia is a citizen, a member of a learned profession, and a
				representative of an educational institution. As such, a faculty member,
				together with all other members of the academic community, has the
				responsibility for protecting, defending, and promoting individual academic
				freedom for all members of the community. The faculty member has the
				responsibility of contributing to institutional and departmental missions in
				teaching, research, and service as defined by the institution. The faculty
				member is responsible also as a teacher for striving to speak with accuracy and
				with respect for the similar rights and responsibilities of others. In speaking
				only as an individual or for a limited group, the faculty member should not
				imply or claim to be a spokesperson for the institution in which he or she
				holds an appointment.
2.4. In
				addition to meeting the primary responsibilities of addressing institutional
				missions in teaching, research, and service as defined by the institution, all
				faculty have an obligation to foster the quality, viability, and necessity of
				their programs. The financial stability of a program and recruitment of an
				adequate number of students depend in part on the faculty. The common goal of
				quality must be nurtured and responsibility for it shared by all. Integrity,
				objectivity, and service to the purposes and missions of the institution are
				expected.
2.5. Faculty interests
				and skills change, disciplines evolve, and new professions or fields of study
				emerge. All faculty members are responsible for remaining current in their
				disciplines. All are encouraged to explore opportunities for further developing
				a versatile range of knowledge and skills that are important to the
				institution. Through individual initiative and faculty development programs,
				faculty members are encouraged to grow in competency in their own disciplines
				and strengthen their interests in related fields.
2.6. As members of an academic community,
				faculty members also are expected to participate in decisions concerning
				programs and in program-review processes.