POLICY MEMORANDUM

The University of Texas at Austin

January 23, 1974

The following statement was received from the Committee of Counsel on Academic Freedom and Responsibility and endorsed by the University Council on March 19, 1973.

As a citizen the faculty member has the constitutional right to engage in political activities. As a faculty member he also has the privileges generally described as academic freedom, including particularly the freedom to explore ideas on their merits. Along with these rights and privileges he has classroom responsibilities. These include the obligations to organize each course so as to give a competent and judicious treatment of its subject matter consistent with its catalog or departmental description and to avoid giving undue weight to his own political or moral judgments.

Equally important is the faculty member's obligation to meet his scheduled classes, making effective educational use of the class time available. The faculty member should make a reasonable effort to avoid unscheduled dismissal of any classes. If he finds it necessary to reschedule any classes, he should endeavor to hold these classes at times convenient for the students and give appropriate notice to the students. He should not allow any such rescheduling to reduce the effectiveness of the course.

Previously PM 3.203