1997-1999 MSUAASF Master Agreement

ARTICLE 4
ACADEMIC FREEDOM

Section A. Policy. It shall be the policy of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to maintain and encourage full freedom, within the law, of inquiry, teaching, and research. The Employer shall not discriminate against an ASF Member for engaging in political activities or holding or voicing political views, so long as the exercise of this right does not interfere with his/her responsibility as an ASF Member.

Section B. Prohibition. The Employer agrees not to use any mechanical or electronic listening or recording devices except with the ASF Member's express consent; provided however, that nothing herein shall be construed to preclude the recording of formal proceedings where a record or minutes is customarily maintained.

Section C. ASF Member Obligation. In the exercise of academic freedom the ASF Member, while engaged in classroom teaching activities, may, without limitation, discuss his/her own subject in the classroom; he/she may not, however, claim as his/her right the privilege of persistently discussing in the classroom matter which has no relation to the subject. In extramural utterances, the ASF Member has an obligation to not represent himself/herself as an institutional spokesperson unless so designated by the President.

Section D. Research and Publication. An ASF Member is entitled to full freedom in research activities and in the publication of results, so long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of his/her job duties. Research conducted at the direction of the University may only be published upon written permission of the President.