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Policies of Academic Freedom and Tenure

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Approved by the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina - May 14, 1976, effective June 11, 1976; revisions approved July 20, 1979, effective July 20, 1979; revisions approved May 10, 1982, effective July 1, 1982; revisions approved November 11, 1994, effective December 9, 1995; revisions approved January 2001, effective July 1, 2001; revisions approved August 2007; effective August 2007.

This document sets forth the official policy of The University of North Carolina at Wilmington regarding academic freedom, rights, and responsibilities, promotion, and tenure of its faculty. Fundamental in this policy are the concepts of academic freedom, rights, and responsibilities as stated in Chapter VI of the Code of The University of North Carolina. Equally fundamental is an explicit policy of promotion and tenure.

1. Freedom and responsibility in the university community
2. Academic freedom and responsibility of faculty
3. Academic tenure
4. Policies on appointment, promotion, and tenure
5. Mediation of faculty grievances
6. Nonreappointment hearings procedure
7. Faculty committee to hear grievances
8. Policies regarding cessation of university employment
9. Termination of faculty employment
10. Retirement
11. Policy on leave
12. Implementation

Section I. Freedom and Responsibility in the University Community

1. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is dedicated to the transmission and advancement of knowledge and understanding. Academic Freedom is essential to the achievement of these purposes. This institution therefore supports and encourages freedom of inquiry for faculty members and students, to the end that they may responsibly pursue these goals through teaching, learning, research, discussion, and publication, free from internal or external restraints that would unreasonably restrict their academic endeavors.
2. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington shall protect faculty and students in their responsible exercise of the freedom to teach, to learn, and otherwise to seek and speak the truth.
3. Faculty and students of this institution shall share in the responsibility for maintaining an environment in which academic freedom flourishes and in which the rights of each member of the academic community are respected.