Academic Freedom & Intellectual Diversity
In supporting the IUC resolution, President Holbrook reaffirmed Ohio State's unwavering commitment to these principles of academic rights and responsibilities. She has asked the Office of Academic Affairs to lead our institution's effort to disseminate them campus-wide; to inform faculty and students about relevant policies and procedures; and to promote frank, open, and respectful discussion among faculty and students about this vital matter.
Accordingly, copies of the principles listed above will be distributed as broadly as possible. They have been posted on the Office of Academic Affairs Web site at http://oaa.osu.edu/pdf/Academic_Rights_and_Responsibilities.doc. That link also indicates Ohio State's procedures for addressing the concerns of those who believe they have experienced treatment that is inconsistent with our institutional commitment to academic freedom. This document has been reproduced here for your convenience:
In June 2005 a statement on academic freedom and intellectual diversity on American campuses was released by the American Council on Education (ACE), the major coordinating body for the nation's higher education institutions, of which Ohio State is a member. The ACE statement includes the following principles:
- Academic freedom and intellectual pluralism are core principles of America’s higher education system.
- Government’s recognition and respect for independence of colleges and universities is essential for academic excellence.
- Colleges and universities should welcome diverse beliefs and the free exchange of ideas.
- Grades and other academic decisions should be based solely on considerations that are intellectually relevant to the subject matter.
- Neither students nor faculty should be disadvantaged or evaluated on the basis of their political opinions.
- Any member of the campus community who believes he or she has been treated unfairly on academic matters must have access to a clear institutional process to address grievances.
Ohio State is unwavering in its commitment to these principles of academic rights and responsibilities.
Accordingly, there are clear mechanisms for addressing the complaints of students who believe they have experienced treatment that is inconsistent with OSU’s commitment to freedom of thought and expression, respect for multiple points of view, and the civil and open discussion of these views.
-
Students who are concerned that their grade in a course has been affected by a consideration not intellectually relevant to the subject matter should refer to the faculty rule associated with alteration of marks located at http://trustees.osu.edu/rules8/ru8-22-231.html. An undergraduate student may choose to consult an academic advisor or the student advocacy office for advice on this process. A graduate student may choose to consult the graduate studies committee chair for advice on this process.
-
Students who are concerned about unfair academic treatment on the basis of political opinions or other personally-held tenets or points of view should refer to the faculty rule associated with complaints against regular, regular clinical, and auxiliary faculty members located at http://trustees.osu.edu/rules5/ru5-04.html. An undergraduate student may choose to consult an academic advisor, the student advocacy office, or the department chair or school director for advice on this process. A graduate student may choose to consult the graduate studies committee chair or department chair or school director for advice on this process.