Academic Freedom Education Initiative
This initiative is endorsed by the LAUC Executive Board and is designed to educate and spark discussion about APM-011. This important new policy launched just before the COVID-19 shutdown, and details academic freedom rights and responsibilities for librarians and thousands of others working under 60 academic titles in the UC system.
It is important to read the following sections of the Academic Personnel Manual (APM), where you will find all the policy language relevant to AF for LAUC librarians:
APM-011 was announced in November 2019 and became part of UC policy on February 1, 2020. Read the Provost’s issuance letter and its accompanying FAQ.
APM-011 applies to more than just librarians - it also covers all UC employees working under the academic titles listed in APM-112-4-b.
The APM’s definition of academic freedom can be traced back to the milestone definition fromm the American Association of University Professors (AAUP): The 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure
Presented Wednesday, March 24th, 2021
This panel discussion, featuring Professor Robert May and several LAUC members, explores the creation of the newest section of the APM. It explains the policy’s definition of academic freedom, describes the framework for formally addressing disputes through the policy, and begins to explore LAUC’s role in the process.
Robert May is Distinguished Professor in the Department of Philosophy at UC Davis. As a former Chair of the UC Academic Senate, as well as the co-Chair of the working group that composed the initial draft of APM-011, he offers unique insights into the impetus and goals of this groundbreaking policy.
Throughout this initiative, we will be gathering volunteers to help us accomplish the following tasks:
Feel free to approach any member of the AF Education Initiative Taskforce to pitch in to our efforts: