NUMBER:		STAF 6.28
SECTION:	Division of Student Affairs

SUBJECT:	Academic Freedom

LATEST REVISION:	July 1, 1994

DATE:		June 1, 1992 (formerly STAF 8.04)

Policy for:	Columbia Campus
Procedure for:	Columbia Campus
Autorized by:	Dennis A. Pruitt
Issued by:	Housing  (Approved by the Board of Trustees)
_____________________________________________________________
    
     ACADEMIC FREEDOM       
     
     The statement of student rights and responsibilities was passed by 
     the Student Senate, the Faculty Senate, and approved by the Board 
     of Trustees of the University.
     
     
    I. GENERAL UNDERSTANDINGS
    
        A. The statement in no way intends to abrogate the legal powers 
                invested in the Board of Trustees under American
                corporate law and the laws of the State of South Carolina.
        
        B. The statement is recognized as a statement of principles only 
                and that the interpretation of these statements, 
                principles, and procedures is a continuing joint process.
        
        C. The implementation of the joint statement must be in harmony
                with our stated educational purposes and must be worked
                out in a number of subsidiary implementing documents.
        
        D. The statement is clearly understood as not giving complete
                autonomy to any sector of the academic community but
                promotes a community approach to those problems which are
                of proper concern to the University as a whole.
        
        
    II. PREAMBLE
    
       Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the
            pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the
            general well-being of society.  Free  inquiry and free 
            expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals.
            As members of the academic community, students should be 
            encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and 
            to engage in a sustained and independent search for truth. 
            Institutional procedures for achieving these purposes may 
            vary from campus to campus, but the minimal standards of 
            academic freedom of students outlined below are essential to
            any community of scholars. Freedom to teach and freedom to
            learn are inseparable facts of academic freedom. The freedom
            to learn depends upon appropriate opportunities and conditions
            in the classroom, on the campus, and in the larger community. 
            Students should exercise their freedom with responsibility. 
    
       The responsibility to secure and to respect general conditions 
            conducive to the freedom to learn is shared by all members of
            the academic community. 
    
       The University has a duty to develop policies and procedures which 
            provide and safeguard this freedom.  Such policies and 
            procedures should be developed within the framework of
            general standards with the broadest possible participation of
            the members of the academic community.  The purpose of this
            statement is to enumerate the essential provisions for
            student freedom to learn.
    
    
    III. FREEDOM OF ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
    
       The admissions policies of the University are a matter of 
            institutional choice provided that the University makes
            clear the characteristics and expectations of the students
            which it considers relevant to success in the institutional
            program.  Under no circumstances should a student be barred
            from admission on the basis of race, creed, sex, handicap, 
            religion, ancestry, or national origin.  Thus, within the
            limits of its facilities, the University should be open to
            all students who are qualified according to its admission
            standards.
    
    
    IV. IN THE CLASSROOM
    
       The professor in the classroom and in conference should encourage 
            free discussion, inquiry, and expression.  Student 
            performance should be evaluated solely on an  academic basis, 
            not opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic
            standards.
    
    
    V. PROTECTION OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
    
       Students should be free to take reasoned exceptions to the data or
            views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment
            about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for
            learning the content of any course of study for which they 
            are  enrolled.
    
    
    VI. PROTECTION AGAINST IMPROPER ACADEMIC EVALUATION
    
       Students should have protection through orderly procedures against 
            prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation.  At the same 
            time, they are responsible for maintaining standards of
            academic performance established for each course in which
            they are enrolled.

    
    VII. PROTECTION AGAINST IMPROPER DISCLOSURE
    
       Information about student views, beliefs, and political associations
            which professors acquire in the course of their work as
            instructors, advisors, and counselors should be considered
            confidential.  Protection against improper disclosure is a 
            serious professional obligation.  Judgments of ability and
            character may be provided under appropriate circumstances,
            normally with the knowledge and consent of the student.
    
    
    

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