Faculty Rights and Responsibilities

Faculty at UNO are entrusted with both academic freedoms and responsibilities. The Bylaws of the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska define both in detail.

Academic Responsibilities

Per the Bylaws of the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska (4.1), membership in the academic community imposes certain obligations:

• Respect the dignity of others and their right to express differing opinions
• Teach and evaluate the work of students independently of considerations of age, race, sex, national origin, or religious or political beliefs
• Establish and maintain classroom and learning spaces that encourage free inquiry and free expression
• Present course subject matter as announced to students and approved by authorities responsible the curriculum
• Study current developments and maintain competence in the area of assigned courses
• Fulfill the assigned meeting time schedule for classes, be available at frequent and regularly scheduled times for student consultation, and inform students of the requirements, standards, objectives, and evaluation procedures at the beginning of each course
• Participate in student advising and public service, as appropriate, and in activities of the department, college, campus, and university
• Indicate that professional staff are not spokespersons for the university
• Create and protect an atmosphere of intellectual honesty

Faculty are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional ethics and to engage constructively in the life of the university.

Academic Freedom

Membership in the academic community also includes academic freedom. Per the Bylaws of the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska (4.2), academic freedom refers to:

• Freedom in research and the publication of results
• Freedom in the classroom when discussing subjects related to their area of expertise
• The right to speak or write as citizens without institutional censorship or discipline

Academic freedom is essential to the mission of a public university. With this freedom comes the responsibility to exercise it thoughtfully, respecting the rights of others and the integrity of the institution. At UNO, we stand firm in supporting academic freedom and recognize the fundamental role academic freedom plays in teaching and learning as well as in research and discovery.

Resource

For your convenience, a printable summary of BOR Bylaws 4.1 and 4.2 is available here:
📄 Download Faculty Rights and Responsibilities Summary