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41 Academic Freedom and For Learnet Academy, academic freedom is of paramount importance. Within the Faculty Governance guidelines established by the directors, faculty and students are able to explore the many avenues of inquiry necessary to seek answers to questions in their field of study. It is the policy of the Academy that instructors and students are entitled to full freedom in exploring the many facets of the program they are involved with, subject to the adequate performance of their other academic duties. Instructors and students are entitled to freedom in the classroom to discuss course subjects, but they should be careful not to introduce controversial matter that has no relation to the course. Learnet Academy's instructors are citizens and members of a learned profession. When they speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position in the community imposes special obligations. As scholars they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence, they should at all times be accurate, exercise appropriate restraint, show respect for the opinions of others, and make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking on behalf of Learnet Academy. Academic freedom faces its greatest threat in expressions of dissent, in settings of sharp controversy, and in connection with attempts to produce social change. It should be made clear, however, that controversy as such must not be stilled. It can have beneficial as well as adverse effects, and it can produce these effects both on society and on educational institutions. The democratic process itself thrives on the resolution of conflicting viewpoints in the interest of the general welfare. Controversy characterizes every healthy, free society. Its absence makes for totalitarian attitudes and political controls. Postsecondary education also flourishes in settings where conflicting points of view can be expressed. Intellectual competency emerges out of such circumstances. Thus, controversy becomes a major educational tool. It need not be eliminated or avoided. Since controversy is educationally useful, a means for keeping inquiry open and free must remain. The faculty should not avoid controversy by insisting on single points of view. Faculty governance applies to the following: • The development of the educational program of the institution • The selection of course materials, instructional equipment and other educational resources • Systematic evaluation and revision of the curriculum • Assessment of student learning outcomes • Planning for institutional effectiveness Last Revision Date on December 12, 2020