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UTCE-MnSCU Master Agreement 1999-2001

ARTICLE 12
Academic Freedom

Section 1. Policy.

It shall be the policy of MnSCU to maintain and encourage full freedom, within the law, of inquiry, teaching and occupational research. The Employer shall not discriminate against a faculty member for engaging in political activities or holding or voicing political views so long as the exercise of this right does not interfere with her/his responsibility as a faculty member.

Section 2. Prohibition.

The Employer shall not use any video, listening or recording devices except with the expressed written consent of the faculty member. The parties agree that the faculty member has the right to representation by UTCE prior to signing the written consent. Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude the recording of formal proceedings where a record or minutes are customarily maintained.

Section 3. Faculty Rights and Obligations.

In the exercise of academic freedom, the faculty member may, without limitation, discuss her/his own subject in the classroom, but s/he should not introduce into her/his teaching controversial matter which is not related to her/his subject. The faculty member may not, however, claim as her/his right the privilege of persistently discussing in the classroom any matter which has no relation to the course subject. There is an obligation to respect the dignity of others, to acknowledge their right to express differing opinions and to foster and defend intellectual honesty, freedom of inquiry and instruction. A faculty member must follow course outlines as developed by and with her/his colleagues in the department(s). The faculty member shall have the right to freely discuss the faculty member's subject in teaching, to choose teaching methods consistent with available resources, to evaluate student performance, to select library and other educational materials consistent with available resources and to research results, subject to adequate performance of her/his academic duties. When a faculty member speaks, writes or endorses products or candidates as a citizen, s/he is obligated to make certain that such endorsements or statements imply no endorsement by the College.

Section 4. Teaching Materials.

A single coordinated set of teaching materials to be purchased by students shall be collectively selected by the faculty members teaching the courses at that campus.

Section 5. MnSCU Task Force on Intellectual Property.

At the request of UTCE, MnSCU will meet and negotiate on issues pertinent to this article as they are identified in the recommendations of the MnSCU Task Force on Intellectual Property.