Faculty members, guided by a deep conviction of the worth and dignity of the advancement of knowledge, recognize the special responsibilities placed upon them. Among their responsibilities are to seek and to state the truth as they see it. To these ends, they devote their energies to developing and improving their scholarly and professional competence. They accept the obligation to exercise critical self-discipline and judgment in using, extending, and transmitting knowledge. They practice intellectual honesty. Although they may follow subsidiary interests, these interests must never seriously hamper or compromise their freedom of inquiry.
As teachers, faculty members encourage the free pursuit of learning in students, before whom faculty members hold the best scholarly standards of their disciplines. They demonstrate respect for the students as individuals and adhere to their proper roles as intellectual guides and counselors. They make every reasonable effort to foster the finest academic conduct and to assure that their evaluations reflect the true merits of the students. Faculty members respect the confidential nature of the relationship between themselves and students. They avoid any exploitation of students for their private advantage and acknowledge significant assistance from them. Faculty members protect the academic freedom of their students.
As colleagues, faculty members have obligations that arise from common membership in the academic community. They respect and defend the free inquiry of their associates. In the exchange of criticism and ideas, faculty members show due respect for the opinions of others. They acknowledge their academic debts and strive to be objective in their professional judgment of colleagues. They accept their share of faculty responsibilities for the governance of their institution.
As members of their institution, faculty members seek above all to be effective in their professional roles. Although they observe the stated regulations of the institution, provided such regulations do not contravene academic freedom, faculty members maintain the right to criticize and seek revision. They determine the amount and the character of the work they do outside their institution with due regard to their paramount responsibilities within it and in accord with the University policy on outside work. When considering the interruption or termination of their services, faculty members recognize the effects of their decisions upon the programs and the schedules of the institution and give due notice of their intentions.
As members of their community, faculty members have the rights and obligations of other citizens. They measure the urgency of these obligations in the light of their responsibilities to their subjects, to their students, to their profession, and to their institution. When they speak or act as private persons, they avoid creating the impression that they speak or act for their college or university. 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.