I. Community college
faculty members, guided by a deep conviction of the worth and dignity
of the advancement of knowledge, recognize the special responsibilities
placed upon them. Their primary responsibility to their subjects is
to seek and to state the truth as they see it. To this end faculty members
devote their energies to developing and improving their scholarly competence.
They accept the obligation to exercise critical self-discipline and
judgment in using, extending, and transmitting knowledge. They practice
intellectual honesty. They adhere to the curriculum established by course
outlines and syllabi as implicit contractual agreements with students.
Although the faculty members may follow subsidiary interests, these
interests must never seriously hamper or compromise their freedom of
inquiry.
II. As teachers, faculty
members encourage the free pursuit of learning in their students. They
hold before them the best scholarly standards of their discipline. Faculty
members demonstrate respect for the student as an individual, and adhere
to their proper role as intellectual guides and counselors. They accept
the obligation to provide students with clearly stated expectations.
Faculty members make every reasonable effort to foster honest academic
conduct, to uphold and promote appropriate academic standards, to apply
consistent grading criteria, and to assure that evaluation of students
reflects their true merit. They respect the confidential nature of the
relationship between faculty member and student. They avoid any exploitation
of student for private advantage and acknowledge significant assistance
from them. They protect the academic freedom of students.
III. As colleagues,
faculty members have obligations that derive from common membership
in the community of scholars. Faculty members do not discriminate against
or harass colleagues. They respect and defend the free inquiry of associates.
In the exchange of criticism and ideas faculty members show due respect
for the opinions of others. Faculty members acknowledge their academic
debts and strive to be objective in their professional judgment of colleagues.
Faculty members accept their share of faculty responsibilities for the
governance of their institution.
IV. As members of
an academic institution, faculty members seek above all to be effective
teachers and scholars. Although faculty members observe the stated regulations
of their institutions, provided the regulations do not contravene academic
freedom, they maintain their right to criticize and seek revision. Faculty
members give due regard to their paramount responsibilities within their
institution in determining the amount and character of work done outside
it. When considering the interruption or termination of their service,
faculty members recognize the effect of their decisions upon the program
of the institution and give due notice of their intentions.
V. As members of their
community, faculty members have the rights and obligations of all citizens.
Faculty members measure the urgency of these obligations in the light
of their responsibilities to their subject areas, to their students,
to their profession, and to their institutions. When they speak or act
as private persons, they avoid creating the impression that they speak
or act for the college or universities. As citizens engaged in a profession
that depends upon freedom for its health and integrity, faculty members
have a particular obligation to promote conditions of free inquiry and
to further public understanding of academic freedom.