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Academic Freedom

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At the University of Pittsburgh, we recognize the critical importance of fostering an environment that values intellectual pursuits, free inquiry, and open discourse, with academic freedom being a cornerstone. The Bylaws of the University of Pittsburgh state that “[a]utonomy and freedom of inquiry are required for the University to carry out its mission” (Ch. II, Art. II, Sec. 2.1), which is the advancement of learning and inquiry. The University supports academic freedom and endorses the American Association of University Professors 1940 Statement of Principles of Academic Freedom.

Application of these principles requires interpretation and judgment, which may be challenging in some situations. Such potential challenges make discussion of these principles an important step to furthering the University community’s understanding. In fact, as is appropriate, the University of Pittsburgh has a practice of regularly reasserting its commitment to academic freedom as fundamental to the University's purpose of seeking and disseminating knowledge, and some of those recent discussions are summarized below.  In short, supporting the appropriate exercise of academic freedom is critically important to our faculty, our students, and our academic mission. Thus, the University protects freedom of expression and academic freedom, when exercised appropriately, through both policy and practice.

In an effort to aid the University community in understanding both the rights and responsibilities that accompany an environment that embraces academic freedom, this page serves to collect University resources to inform faculty, students, and administrators.

The University’s Stance on Academic Freedom

The ongoing discussions at the University of Pittsburgh have resulted in the following written information pertaining to Academic Freedom.

Over the years, statements on academic freedom have been provided by past provost James Maher, former dean and chair of the provost's ad hoc Committee on Academic Freedom N. John Cooper, and past provost Ann Cudd.

Through shared governance, in 2014, the Tenure and Academic Freedom Committee of the University Senate formed a subcommittee to examine academic freedom at Pitt. That subcommittee came to a “unanimous agreement that the existing policies on academic freedom are strong and do not need to be revised.”  Moreover, a recent (2019) Faculty Senate plenary meeting focused on issues surrounding free speech in today’s universities.

More recently, the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the faculty union provides:

  1. Bargaining unit faculty members are entitled to full freedom from interference to conduct research in their academic fields and to publish their results, subject to adequate performance of their other academic duties1 and an understanding with university authorities regarding research for "pecuniary return."
  2. Bargaining unit faculty members have the right to translate their knowledge and understanding into effective instruction appropriately grounded in principles and practices of disciplines and professions. Bargaining unit faculty members are entitled to freedom in the classroom2 to discuss their subject, but they should be careful not to introduce controversial material that has no relation to that subject and should provide an atmosphere conducive to learning.
  3. Bargaining unit faculty members are entitled to speak and write as private citizens, free from institutional censorship or discipline, but as scholars and educators they should at all times3 be accurate, exercise appropriate restraint, and show respect for the opinions of others. Faculty may list their institutional affiliation for identification purposes but should not present themselves as spokespersons for the University of Pittsburgh unless expressly authorized to do so in writing by the Employer.
     

Furthermore, the following are principles of ethical conduct that are assumed by bargaining unit faculty members. Bargaining faculty members should:

  1. Observe and uphold the ethical standards of their discipline and the Employer in the pursuit and communication of scientific and scholarly knowledge.
  2. Treat students, staff, colleagues, and the public with fairness, dignity, and respect in accordance with this Agreement and Employer policy when discharging their professional duties.
  3. Respect and maintain the integrity of the evaluation process and evaluate students, staff, and colleagues fairly.
  4. Contribute to the academic and administrative functioning of their academic unit and the University.
  5. Conduct themselves with honesty and integrity in all activities that impact the work or academic environment.
     

Notes

1 Faculty members do not lose their right to academic freedom, with respect to research, if they are not adequately performing their other duties. However, academic freedom does not excuse faculty members from adequately performing their other duties, complying with University policy and complying with any applicable conditions related to funding. Academic freedom in research is subject to certain limitations, such as professional competence and ethics and does not mean that individual faculty members are free to teach or publish whatever they want without repercussions.

2 The concept of freedom in the classroom applies to online teaching as well as related instructional activities.

3 When faculty members speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position in the community imposes special obligations. As educators, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances.

Fostering a Supportive Classroom

Provost Joseph J. McCarthy has shared a message on fostering a supportive classroom which encourages faculty “to integrate the principles of academic freedom responsibly within the context of their respective disciplines, fostering an environment that supports rigorous intellectual exploration while maintaining a clear connection to the curriculum.”

Relevant Policies and Resources

Bylaws of the University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education Bylaws Effective July 1, 2024 (PDF)

Relevant Excerpts from University Bylaws

Chapter II, Article II: Academic Tenure: Purposes and Obligations

  • Chapter II, Article II, Section 2.1 Basic Mission of the University. The basic mission of the University of Pittsburgh is the advancement of learning. …Autonomy and freedom of inquiry are required for the University to carry out its mission…
     
  • Chapter II, Article II, Section 2.3 Academic Tenure. The institution of academic tenure is an indispensable element in the environment of free inquiry required for a university to carry out its tasks.
     
  • Chapter II, Article II, Section 2.5 Obligations and Responsibilities of Tenure. 
    • c. Those who accept the rights and immunities of tenured appointment owe it to their colleagues unfailingly and unflinchingly to defend independence and freedom of mind in their field of competence. The tenured faculty should create and sustain an intellectual ambiance in which their non-tenured colleagues can think, investigate, speak, write, and teach secure in the knowledge that their intellectual vitality is both essential and welcome.
    • e. The acceptance of an appointment…implies a commitment to the University as an intellectual community. The rights to membership on the faculty and to academic freedom carry with them the obligations to uphold academic freedom of others, and to perform in a productive, professional fashion so as to deserve membership on the faculty. It is equally a responsibility of the officers of the University administration and of the Board of Trustees to assure, to protect, and to defend academic freedom.

University of Pittsburgh Faculty Handbook

The Faculty Handbook comprises a summary of University policies that directly impact the work of Pitt faculty members. These policies address topics such as benefits, institutional support and University governance as well as compliance policies and procedures that satisfy federal and Commonwealth laws.

University Senate

Bylaws of the University Senate

Additional Resources