A Note from Academic Affairs

Dear Colleagues,

As the fall semester approaches, we have a couple important informational items to share.  First, last spring we heard from a number of faculty members about the need for a syllabus statement covering Academic Freedom and Responsibility on our campus. Academic Affairs engaged in this work over the summer and shared it with the Deans and Faculty for review.  This statement is largely based on the current SBOE Policy III.B (Academic Freedom and Responsibility).  Changes to this current policy are under review and will be officially vetted for approval by the SBOE at the October and December board meetings.

We know doing this work over the summer was not ideal as many faculty are off contract and may not have had the opportunity to provide feedback.  However, we wanted to make sure that we had a statement available for faculty to include in their fall syllabi. As we move forward in this work, please know, we will be much more timely and will work closely with Faculty Senate to ensure that we have robust mechanisms for faculty feedback and engagement in this work.

Please note, this syllabus statement is not required.  If you do choose to include this statement in your syllabi, please do not make any modifications as this is our currently approved language.

Second, due to the quickly changing landscape of COVID-19, we are working diligently to provide guidance and syllabus statements to help facilitate effective communication across campus.  President Satterlee has shared initial guidance and additional communication for fall semester will be coming very soon.

Thank you all for your patience and support as we navigate these very complex issues!  

The AA Team

Academic Freedom and Responsibility Syllabus Statement:

In carrying out its educational mission, Idaho State University is committed to adhering to the values articulated in Idaho State Board of Education Policy III.B. Membership in the academic community imposes on administrators, faculty members, other institutional employees, and students an obligation to respect the dignity of others, to acknowledge the right of others to express differing opinions, and to foster and defend intellectual honesty, freedom of inquiry and instruction, and free expression on and off the campus of an institution.