Resolution in Support of Academic Freedom
PRESS RELEASE
March 9, 2022
On March 3, members of the Texas Community College Teachers Association voted unanimously in favor of a resolution affirming their support of academic freedom and the central role faculty play in determining how issues of race and racial justice are addressed in the classroom. The resolution, adopted at the TCCTA Annual Conference, stated in part that “we believe it is necessary and urgent that the legislature and politicians at the state level respect the culture of academic freedom and refrain from dictating what is or is not appropriate curriculum for the college classroom.”
The resolution further noted that compromising academic freedom poses a threat to accreditation of higher education institutions across the state. “The directive to preserve and protect academic freedom is necessary for institutional accreditation, according to SACSCOC, and TCCTA defends academic freedom as an essential element of effective teaching and learning at the college level.”
In adopting the resolution, TCCTA members affirmed the importance of discussions on race with their students. “We agree that matters such as race in America are an essential part of our students’ narratives, and developing an informed understanding of these topics is an important part of a well-rounded education.”
In keeping with the organization’s longstanding position, the resolution states that “academic freedom, like the rule of law, itself, does not apply only to issues on which we agree; it is a constant that defines our work with one another and with our students.”
Following is the text of the resolution.
Resolution in Support of Academic Freedom
WHEREAS recent comments reported in the news underscore the need in higher education for vigilance in defense of academic freedom;
WHEREAS the issues before us include the freedom to discuss matters of race and racial justice, the most vexing issues in our nation’s history;
WHEREAS the Texas Community College Teachers Association (TCCTA) has, throughout its history, been an ardent defender of academic freedom as a core value;
WHEREAS in SACSCOC’s Principles of Accreditation, under Section 6, Number 4, one of the criteria for accreditation is academic freedom:
“The institution publishes and implements appropriate policies and procedures for preserving and protecting academic freedom.”
WHEREAS the directive to preserve and protect academic freedom is necessary for institutional accreditation, according to SACSCOC, and TCCTA defends academic freedom as an essential element of effective teaching and learning at the college level.
Resolution:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Texas Community College Teachers Association and its membership across the state of Texas have a wide range of opinions on subjects, which is appropriate in an educational environment, as well as a democracy. We agree that matters such as race in America are an essential part of our students’ narratives, and developing an informed understanding of these topics is an important part of a well-rounded education.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we believe it is necessary and urgent that the legislature and politicians at the state level respect the culture of academic freedom and refrain from dictating what is or is not appropriate curriculum for the college classroom. Academic freedom, like the rule of law, itself, does not apply only to issues on which we agree; it is a constant that defines our work with one another and with our students.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our organization opposes any policy that would deny faculty and students an environment for open inquiry, unfettered by political pressure.
Inquiries should be directed to the TCCTA Executive Director, at rmoore@tccta.org.