Academic Freedom

The Office of the Provost has developed a website devoted to Academic Freedom as a resource for UO faculty. Academic Freedom enables a faculty member to research and teach without fear of interference or reprisals from potentially coercive forces, whether extramural or intramural, within established legal and ethical bounds.

MESSAGE FROM THE PROVOST ∙ UO POLICIES ∙ COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES ∙ SUPPORT RESOURCES ∙ FURTHER READING

External Engagement Support & Resources for UO Employees

NEW! The document is designed to assist university employees and the university community in general in responding to situations in which a faculty member is targeted by individuals or groups outside of the university based on the content of the employee’s service, scholarship, teaching, and more.

A message from the Provost's Office

Academic freedom enables a faculty member to research and teach without fear of interference or reprisals from potentially coercive forces, whether extramural or intramural, within established legal and ethical bounds. Literary scholar and historian Louis Menand rightly noted that “it is the academic’s job in a free society to serve the public culture by asking questions the public doesn’t want to ask, investigating subjects it cannot or will not investigate, and accommodating voices it fails or refuses to accommodate.” Academic freedom protects and encourages intellectual risk-taking, “blue skies” research, and innovative teaching, even when those pursuits arouse controversy.

Read the full letter

UO Policies

Academic Freedom, Freedom of Inquiry, and Freedom of Speech [UO Policy No. II.05.01]

Community Standards Affirmation [UO Policy No. 01.00.10]

Facilities Scheduling

Privacy and Records

Free Speech and Demonstration Guidelines

Political Activities and Use of UO Resources

Faculty Rights, Responsibilities and Resources (Faculty Handbook)

Respectful Workplace (Human Resources)

Threats of Litigation, and to Health and Safety

UO Office of General Counsel Brief on Student Free Speech Rights in the Classroom

Communication Guidelines

Over their time at a university, faculty members may face communication situations that are difficult to navigate. The Office of the Provost has created a set of guidelines and tips to help faculty members with the following situations:

► Deciding when to respond to critics

► Publishing Op-Eds

► Managing a social media presence

► Handling media requests and interviews

► Engaging in political activity as a university employee

► Using the university's name or affiliation

► NEW! External Engagement Support & Resources for University Employees

Support Resources

Faculty who wish to bring a concern related to academic freedom to the attention of the University should use the "Report a Concern" form. The information provided will enable the University to determine the extent of its involvement in responding to the faculty member's concern. Please select the "Academic Freedom Concern (*For Faculty)" option in the drop-down menu.

Report a concern