Academic Freedom Resources

Resources, policies and statements specific to Western.

• External Intimidation, Abuse, or Harassment Reporting Form
  Reporting harassment allows WWU to quickly and efficiently connect victims with the appropriate campus resources. All information reported here will be kept confidential. This form is for reporting harassment or threats coming from outside of the University community. Generally, a staff member in the Provost's Office will be the first to respond, and you can expect a response within two working days. More immediate requests for assistance can be raised directly with campus police, a department chair, or the dean of your college. Of course, if imminent physical violence is expected or threatened, call 9-1-1 immediately.  (On February 25, 2025, the Senate adopted by consent a motion from Senate Executive Council to support efforts to improve the procedures surrounding the reporting of faculty harassment.)  
   
• Faculty Senate Resolution No. 2025-03 to Establish and Support Mutual Academic Defense Compacts (May 5, 2025)
  The Faculty Senate passed a motion to urge the WWU President to propose and help establish a Mutual Academic Defense Compact among all public colleges and universities in Washington in defense of academic freedom, free expression, institutional integrity, and the research enterprise. (Background and Senate Action)
   
• Faculty Senate Resolution No. 2025-04 to Defend Higher Education, Western Washington University, and the Western Community by Endorsing the AAUP Demands (May 5, 2025)
  • Faculty Senate Resolution Authorizing a Senate Task Force on AAUP Demands (June 2, 2025)
     
• WWU Faculty Handbook 
  The Code of Faculty Ethics (Section II of the Faculty Handbook) states that: 
  
  Academic freedom, which is central to our mission at WWU, includes the freedom of faculty to investigate, publish, and teach issues that are relevant to their academic field without interference from university administrators, the board of trustees, political figures, or others. Free and honest inquiry is essential to the functioning of the university, and the policies of the university protect the academic freedom of faculty, as outlined in the AAUP’s foundational 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure. 
  
  According to these principles, the pursuit of truth that lies at the heart of our scholarly community requires a commitment to academic freedom as it applies in instruction and research. Engaging with potentially controversial topics, while considering the rights and dignity of all people, is often at the core of learning and should be encouraged. Learning from difference and the value of diverse viewpoints is central to our scholarly community. Good teaching relies on the exercise of academic freedom and reflective judgment about discussing sensitive or potentially controversial subjects in ways that will promote and support learning and professional engagement. 
  
  While faculty are protected by WWU’s commitment to academic freedom, they are also required to follow the law, all relevant university policies, and relevant codes of conduct. Any discipline for faculty speech will follow the definition of academic freedom provided in Section 2.2 of the UFWW-WWU Collective Bargaining Agreement. Faculty have every right to speak and act as private citizens but should avoid creating the impression that they are speaking or acting on behalf of WWU when doing so. 
   
• 2023-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement Between WWU and UFWW 
  Section 2.1 of the CBA states that the University and UFWW agree that academic freedom is essential to the mission of the University and that providing an environment of free and honest inquiry is essential to its functioning. Section 2.1 defines academic freedom under the CBA as "as the freedom to discuss all relevant matters in the classroom, to explore all avenues of scholarship, research and creative expression, and to speak or write as a public citizen without institutional discipline or restraint on matters of public concern, as well as on issues related to professional duties and the functioning of the University. All efforts should be made to be accurate and to show respect for the opinions of others and to make clear they are not speaking on behalf of the institution unless specifically designated to do so. Academic responsibility implies the faithful performance of academic duties and obligations and the recognition of the demands of the scholarly enterprise."
   
• Board of Trustees Statement on Academic Freedom (April 24, 2024)