Academic freedom and freedom of expression are core principles at UC Berkeley. It is critical that the campus be a place where the full spectrum of views held by our varied communities can be voiced and heard. At the same time, it is imperative that our exercise of these freedoms accords with University policy, which serves to provide protections for instructors, staff, and students alike.
Instruction and Political Advocacy
While instructors enjoy considerable freedom, University policies do impose limits on using the classroom, or one’s courses more generally, for purposes of political advocacy. These policies prohibit:
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significant intrusion of material unrelated to the course (APM 015, Section II, A.1.b & Section B4(b) of Unit 18 collective bargaining agreement);
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use of the position or powers of a faculty member to coerce the judgment or conscience of a student (APM 015, Section II, A.5 & Section B4(h) of Unit 18 agreement); and
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misuse of the classroom by, for example, allowing it to be used for political indoctrination, for purposes other than those for which the course was constituted, or for providing grades without commensurate and appropriate student achievement (Regents’ Policy 2301). Note that Regents’ Policy 2301 applies to all instructors, including academic student employees such as GSIs.
Respectful Discussion of Controversial Topics
It is important that students do not feel intimidated, threatened, and/or excluded in their classes, but rather are invited to share diverse perspectives relevant to the course content. Balanced and respectful discussions of controversial topics germane to the subject are a critical part of the learning experience.
Adherence to Berkeley’s Principles of Community
Instructors, including guest speakers, are expected to conduct themselves in a way that is consistent with the campus’s principles of community. The principles concerning free speech, civility, and respect are particularly relevant. For instance, no instructor or guest speaker should demean or castigate an individual student for the views that a student expresses. While the instructor or guest speaker is not expected to agree with a student’s opinion, they should frame their responses in a manner consistent with the campus’s goal of being a place of reasoned and civil discourse.
The principles of community should be shared in advance with guest speakers and the expectation that they adhere to them conveyed to them. It is the responsibility of the instructor to immediately address a situation where a guest speaker fails to uphold the principles of community.
Guidance in the Event of a Disruption
While we hope it will never be necessary, instructors need to be prepared for a variety of possible disruptions that may occur during classroom instruction. For example, while teaching, instructors may experience disruptive behavior or even active threats. Instructors are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the campus’s Guidance on Instructor Preparedness for Classroom Disruptions and Emergencies prior to the start of instruction for every course.