As an institution of higher education, Quinnipiac University is committed to the concept of academic freedom. Upholding of the highest standards of academic freedom is a joint responsibility of the University and all faculty members. The University shall insure that the academic freedom of all members of the community is maintained.
The following principles embody the concept of academic freedom as subscribed to by Quinnipiac University:
A. The teacher is entitled to full freedom in research and in publication of results, subject to the adequate performance of his/her academic duties. However, it is recognized that the interests of the University and the faculty member must be protected as follows:
- Acceptance of Funds, Research, and Development
Faculty members shall not accept contracts, grants or other agreements to pursue research and development that would require the use of University facilities or the reduction of normal responsibilities without written approval of the Quinnipiac University Grant Council. - Inventions, Discoveries, Creations, and Marketable Discoveries
Circumstances pertaining to research and development and consequent dispersal of relevant income may include:
a. Inventions, discoveries and creations made under the direction of the University or its designee.
b. Inventions, discoveries and creations made pursuant to an outside contract or grant.
It is understood that under the terms of such agreements, the grantor(s), as well as the inventor and the University, will retain certain property rights. Such rights depend upon the terms of the individual contract, and applicable state and federal laws. However, the proportionate share between the inventor and the University will be given as below where applicable.
c. Inventions and/or discoveries that are pursued by an individual faculty member without any outside or University support but which make use of University facilities in the pursuit of at least a portion of the research.
It is recognized that in such situations the rights to such inventions remain solely the property of the inventor, but it is also recognized that the University is entitled to remuneration and compensation of what are commonly termed "shop rights."
d. Inventions made by a member of the faculty without any financial support from the University or any use of the University's facilities.
It is recognized that such discoveries may be made under the terms of some other form of employment. In such situations, the rights to inventions remain solely with the inventor or under such terms as his or her outside employer dictates.
B. The teacher is entitled to full freedom in the classroom in discussing his or her subject, but he or she should be careful not to introduce into his or her teaching controversial matter that has no relation to his or her subject. The intent of this statement is not to discourage what is “controversial.” Controversy is at the heart of the free academic inquiry, which this entire statement is designed to foster. This item serves to underscore the need for the teacher to avoid persistently intruding into areas that have no relation to the subject being taught.
C. The teacher is a citizen, a member of a learned profession, and an educator at the University. When he or she writes or speaks as a citizen, he or she should be free from institutional censorship or discipline. However, his or her special position in the community imposes special obligations. As a person of learning and an educator, he or she should remember that the public may judge his or her profession and the University by his or her utterances. Hence, he or she should at all time be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that he or she is not a University spokesman.