Title 5, Section 51023; Accreditation Standard 2.2
Controversial issues and divergent viewpoints have existed among men throughout the history of civilization. Only in a constitutional republic such as ours has a high degree of freedom of expression been permitted. There must be freedom of the student and teacher to present their viewpoints in and out of the classroom. American democracy is strong enough to stand on its own merits and to survive criticism and comparison with any system so long as its advantages and virtues are not deliberately slighted in such comparisons. However, an atmosphere of responsibility to the students, the College, the community and the nation must accompany these freedoms. To carry out their mutual responsibilities to each other and to insure these principles of academic freedom, the Board of Trustees, the administration and faculty agree to support certain guiding principles and procedures as set forth below.
1. The faculty member shall:
(a) Be entitled to freedom of expression in teaching his/her subjects in the classroom. He/she shall encourage fair examination of controversial questions. He/she shall encourage students, by word and example, to form their own opinions based upon critical judgment and documented facts. In his/her presentation of subject matter to his/her students, he/she shall distinguish between objective facts and his/her personal evaluation of facts.
(b) Be supported in his/her right to participate in legal political activities of the community, state and nation during off-duty hours. No disciplinary action may be brought to coerce him/her for political purposes. (Education Code 13004, 13754). He/she shall permit no outside political activities to interfere with his/her academic duties. He/she should always make clear to audiences that the opinions expressed regarding outside political activities are his/her own and not to be taken as necessarily representing the policies of the College. He/she should refrain from making irresponsible statements to any group.
(c) Be ever cognizant that it is illegal to advocate the overthrow of the Government by force (Education Code 9455). He/she should make a clear distinction between the description of such philosophies as might fall in that category and the advocacy of such philosophies.
(d) Emphasize the need for maintaining a level of individual integrity and responsibility consistent with good community relations of the College, when associated with student activities that reach beyond the classroom.
(e) Provide a fair platform for the presentation of facts when outside speakers are invited to the classroom on the campus. Such speakers should be free to speak on topics which are relevant to questions being discussed in the classroom or campus situation. It may, at times, be desirable for the faculty members and administration to provide information and viewpoints to rebut opinions expressed by such speakers in order to encourage critical analysis of the questions discussed.
2. Classroom policy regarding the discussion of controversial issues shall be:
(a) That free classroom expression by the instructor and the students be encouraged so long as topics are pertinent to the course being taught. The instructor is careful to be accurate, responsible and aware of the immaturity of some of the students in presenting and discussing controversial topics.
(b) That the instructor avoids prejudicial indoctrination. He/she points out to students that there may be other recognized views, and he/she carefully distinguishes between personal opinion and documented fact. He/she avoids imposing his/her opinion regarding controversial topics through the pressure of his/her authority in the classroom.
(c) That discussion of religious concepts is free from restraint so long as it is an integral part of the subject being taught and does not become sectarian indoctrination.
(d) That the teacher respects the student's right to differ in opinion in any discussion of controversial issues, without penalty, attack, or reflection in grading.
Board Approved 4/9/03