Catalog Revision Regarding Student Academic Freedom
Effective Date
The Senate passed a motion to table the Executive Council motion to adopt changes to the the Catalog regarding student academic freedom on Feb. 26, 2024 by a vote of 17 in favor, three opposed, zero abstentions.
Background
January 29, 2027
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, presented to the Faculty Senate on accreditation issues related to student academic freedom. As part of its two-part review process, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Accreditation (NWCCU) found that WWU did not meet its standard regarding to communication related to academic freedom protections for students. If this issue is corrected before the NWCCU site visit in April 2024, the University will not receive a formal finding. The University is pursuing a two-part strategy to meet the standard. The first is a proposed revision to Appendix F in the catalog to articular that students would be able to appeal a grade decision related to academic freedom, which would include a formal definition of academic freedom. The second is a proposal that the Board of Trustees issue a general statement related to the University's stance on academic freedom as it relates to students and faculty.
Following a discussion of the proposed changes during which Senators raised several concerns, Senate President Dupont said that the Senate Executive Council would work to modify the draft and bring an updated proposal to the Senate on February 12.
February 12, 2024
The Senate Executive Council discussed draft language at its regular meeting on February 5, but due to the need for additional time for to address concerns with the updated proposed language, action was postponed until the February 26 Senate meeting.
February 26, 2024
The Senate Executive Council presented a motion to adopt revised Catalog language pertaining to student academic freedom.
During discussion, Senators raised concerns regarding whether the NWCCU request was appropriate. Other concerns included whether existing policies might satisfy the standard, if the Academic Grievance Catalog language is the appropriate place for academic freedom language, and if the proposed language is redundant. Senators also discussed requesting that the Board of Trustees issue a statement supporting Student Academic Freedom as an alternative to the proposed revision.
Senate Action
A motion to table the Senate Executive Council motion on the Catalog Revision on Student Academic Freedom by Charles Anderson (and seconded) passed by 17 votes with three opposed and zero abstaining.