School of Law: Academic Freedom

Unit Policy

Title

School of Law: Academic Freedom

Introduction

Purpose

This policy document affirms the UNC School of Law's commitment to academic freedom as essential to its educational mission, supporting faculty and students in freely pursuing teaching, research, scholarship, and public service without unreasonable restraint.

Scope

This policy applies to faculty members and students at the UNC School of Law.

Policy

Policy Statement

  1. The University of North Carolina School of Law (SOL) is dedicated to the transmission and advancement of knowledge and understanding. Academic freedom is essential to achieving these goals. The SOL therefore supports and encourages freedom of inquiry for faculty members and students so that they may, responsibly and without internal or external restraints that would unreasonably restrict their academic endeavors, pursue the SOL’s goals through teaching, learning, research, discussion, and publication. 
  2.  The SOL supports and encourages full freedom, within the law, of conducting research; publishing scholarship; engaging in SOL governance; participating in law-related public service activities; curating library collections and providing information services; and exercising teaching responsibilities, including those related to client representation in clinical programs. 
  3. In any official claim involving a potential violation of academic freedom, a faculty member shall have the process afforded under University policies (currently found in Chapter 603 of the UNC Policy Manual and Section 3 of the Trustee Policies Governing Academic Tenure in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill).    

Related Requirements

External Regulations

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Name: F. Andrew Hessick, Dean

Email: law_dean@unc.edu