In Chapter III, Section I of its Board Rules [1], the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System outlines the rights, duties, and responsibilities of academic staff within the System as follows:

SECTION I. RIGHTS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ACADEMIC STAFF

Nicholls State University, as part of the University of Louisiana System, works to foster an educational environment where students and faculty develop to their fullest potential as persons, teachers, artists, researchers, and scholars. The University's statement on academic freedom, located in Section 2.6 (Faculty Rights and Privileges) of the University's Policy and Procedure Manual [2], reads as follows:

2.6.1.1. The A.A.U.P Policy Documents Reports, 1984

The University affirms and follows the ideal that all members of the faculty are entitled to academic freedom as defined in the "1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure" AAUP Policy Documents Reports, 1984 edition, jointly formulated by the American Association of University Professors and the Association of American Colleges. The University accepts the following specific excerpts from 1940 Statement as defining what is meant by academic freedom:

•	"Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good and not to further the interests of either the individual teacher [professor] or the institution as a whole. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free expression."
•	"Academic freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research. Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth. Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the teacher [professor] in teaching and of the student to freedom in learning. It carries duties correlative with rights."
•	"The teacher [professor] is entitled to full freedom in research and in publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of his [or her] other academic duties; but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of the institution."
•	"The teacher [professor] is entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing his [or her] subject."
•	"The college or university teacher [professor] is a citizen, a member of a learned profession, and an officer of an educational institution. When he [she] speaks or writes as a citizen, he [she] should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but his [her] special position in the community imposes special obligations. As a man [woman] of learning and an educational officer, he [she] should remember that the public may judge his [her] profession and his [her] institution by his [her] utterances. Hence, he [she] should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint[,] should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that he [she] is not an institutional spokesman [spokeswoman]."

With this policy the University explicitly safeguards the faculty's entitlement to academic freedom in research, publication, and in the classroom, while recognizing that with rights come responsibilities. Several sections of the University' Policy and Procedure Manual underscore these responsibilities. Section 2.6.3 (Professional Ethics) [3] explains that the University acts to protect faculty members' academic freedom, while asking faculty to not abuse the freedom by offending, intimidating, or abusing others. Section 2.6.2 further strengthens the concept of academic freedom from the perspective of library faculty [4]. Finally, Section 2.6.1.2 (Procedures for Safeguarding Protection of Academic Freedom) [5], attaches the established grievance procedure [6] of the University.

Faculty Senate Support for Academic Freedom

Support for academic freedom has also been institutionalized by way of the governance document and the Constitution of the Faculty Association. The Faculty Senate's participative role in University governance is explicitly described in Section 1.15.3 of the University's Policy and Procedure Manual [7]. The Nicholls State University Faculty Senate is the official name of the governing body of Nicholls State University Faculty Association:

1.15.3. Article II-Purpose

As the governing body of the Association, the Senate shares in the conduct of University affairs and provides leadership in the areas of academic freedom, the development, maintenance, and evaluation of academic programs and educational standards, the assurance of faculty welfare, and the advancement of the University. Normally recommendations of the Senate are submitted to the President through the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Senate may use any independent avenues to obtain information or express opinions in order to assure faculty welfare and to preserve academic freedom.

Documentation