# SUBJECT ACADEMIC FREEDOM - RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES This policy defines the rights, obligations and limitations related to academic freedom when applied to scholarly activities and research conducted by Northern College faculty members in the course of their academic appointment and by those researchers and persons who are similarly authorized in wri | | | |---|---| | Type | PDF | | Size | 1217 KB | [Open original PDF →](https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/VPA3_Academic-Freedom-Rights-Responsibilities.pdf) Referenced from: [Policies & Procedures](/pages/academics/policies/) ## Document text ## SUBJECT ACADEMIC FREEDOM - RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ## BACKGROUND This policy defines the rights, obligations and limitations related to academic freedom when applied to scholarly activities and research conducted by Northern College faculty members in the course of their academic appointment and by those researchers and persons who are similarly authorized in writing by the College for the purposes of research and scholarly activities. The rights and benefits associated with the Policy for Academic Freedom applies only where scholarly activity and/or research are occurring. Academic Freedom is not an absolute freedom. Individual members of institutions are limited by the degree of autonomy available within the institution, and are subject to legal parameters, professional requirements and peer review. The autonomy of an Ontario college is limited by statute, the Colleges' charter, policies established by the Government of Ontario, ethical review boards, Boards of Governors, and oversight committees. Academic freedom, as appropriate to an individual's college appointment, implies protection of the individual by the college from pressure intended to censure or restrict such individual from otherwise pursuing scholarly activities and research interests and communicating the results to students, academic colleagues and the community at large. In this context, individuals are entitled to freedom in research and inquiry and in the publication or dissemination of the results, subject to the adequate performance of their other academic duties and adherence to College policies and procedures, and respecting the rights and academic freedom of other college community members Academic Freedom at Northern College has corresponding obligations which include respect for evidence; integrity in the research in accordance with the conventions of the discipline; impartial reasoning; and honesty in reporting both the underlying assumptions and the results of the inquiry. Research, and scholarly activities are integral elements and essential functions at Northern College. Faculty members and others engaged in research activities authorized by the College are encouraged to engage in scholarship in order to generate new knowledge, to evaluate, apply and extend knowledge, and to express new ideas through integrity in research and scholarly activities. | ISSUE DATE | SUPERSEDES | MANDATORY REVISION DATE | REFERENCE | SECTION | PAGE OF | | --- Source: [https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/VPA3_Academic-Freedom-Rights-Responsibilities.pdf](https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/VPA3_Academic-Freedom-Rights-Responsibilities.pdf)