Information and Resources on Free Speech and Academic Freedom at the University of Utah: Home

Full descriptions available in Section II of 6-400, the Student Code of Conduct

1. Learning Environment: conducive to thinking; respect for dignity of personhood; academic freedom & autonomy
2. Rights in the Classroom: general notice of content of the course and how performance will be evaluated
3. Role in Governance of the University: policy-making; evaluating teaching
4. Due Process: right to be heard and reviewed by impartial entities if being sanctioned
5. Freedom from Discrimination & Sexual Harrassment: no discrimination, harrassment, or prejudicial treatment because of protected class
6. Freedom of Expression: right to examine and communicate ideas by lawful means; no sanctions for 1st amendment rights
7. Privacy and Confidentiality: matters told in confidence stay confidential unless subpeaoned; freedom from unreasonable search & seizure
8. Student Records: no disclosure of educational records; right to examine educational records
9. Student Government and Student Organizations: right to vote and participate in ASUU

RBIRT oversees the creation, implementation, and long-term success of U of U protocols, programs, and processes in order to provide appropriate and calculated responses to incidents bias and racism at the U of U.

URISE is a team of University of Utah faculty, staff, and students who serve as a resource for the campus community about civil dialogue across all areas of campus.

SCAFFR reports to the full Academic Senate and consists of twelve elected members. The committee:

• Investigates issues of academic freedom at the university
• Reviews, determines merit, and advises in response to grievances brought by students, staff, faculty
• Hears academic freedom matters referred by the president of the university or the Consolidated Hearing Committee
• Oversees the Code of Faculty Rights & Responsibilities (6-316)

Section III.B of Policy 1-007

Academic freedom in the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge through all media shall be maintained at the University of Utah. Academic freedom shall be recognized as a right of all members of the faculty, whether with or without tenure or continuing appointment, of all administrative officers, and of all students. The University of Utah endorses and hereby incorporates in these regulations the following statements of the American Association of University Professors related to defining academic freedom: "The 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure" and the "1970 Interpretive Comments" thereon; the "1970 Statement on Professors and Political Activity"; the "1970 Statement of the Association's Council: Freedom and Responsibility"; and, the "1967 Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students".

Section III.A of Policy 1-007

Members of the University community shall have the right to freedom of speech and assembly without prior restraint or censorship, subject only to clearly stated, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory rules and regulations regarding time, place, and manner.

Discrimination Complaint Rule of Policy 1-012

Harassment means unwelcome or offensive conduct which has the purpose or effect of interfering with a person’s work or academic environment or creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive or otherwise adverse working or learning environment, when such conduct is based on or because of an individual’s membership in a protected class described in University Policy 1-012. This definition applies for any harassing conduct other than Sexual or Gender- Based Harassment, which is defined separately, for consistency with federal law. Harassment is a form of Discrimination.

Freedom to publish research results gets informed by the U of U Research Handbook, the Faculty Code, and the Student Code

• Research Handbook Section 9.9.1: Records of research are owned by the University https://osp.utah.edu/policies/handbook/award-management/records-retention.php
• The Principal Investigator typically manages the data as well as the decisions regarding its readiness for publication, but student-employees can challenge this decision-making in light of duties to students mentioned in both the Research Handbook and the Faculty Code. 
  • The University has a duty to “[Protect] the rights of students, postdoctoral scholars, and staff, including, but not limited to, their rights to access data from research in which they participated and their rights to publish the results of such research.” https://osp.utah.edu/policies/handbook/award-management/records-retention.php
  • Faculty Code Policy 6-316, Section 4.B.7: “Faculty members may not limit or curtail the right of a student to publish or otherwise communicate the result of the student's own scholarly activities.” https://regulations.utah.edu/academics/6-316.php
• Consider any disagreement thoughtfully. Be respectful. Know what is expected from the outset by reading lab agreements, policies, or procedures. Read the Student Code https://regulations.utah.edu/academics/6-400.php 
• Submit complaints to the Senate Committee on Academic Freedom and Faculty Rights

Policy 1-004: Violence in the Workplace and Academic Environment
Policy 1-021: Abusive conduct

plus on-going to changes to the Student and Faculty Code; Stay up-to-date here