The
University’s procedure for approval of award proposals are
such that a review is made to ensure that the award is related
to the purpose of the institution, that the institution is able
to meet its obligations (cost sharing) related to the award, thus
not endangering support for general institutional activities,
and that the award is for a specific period of time. Accordingly,
the University endorses the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic
Freedom and Tenure of the American Association of University Professors,
as revised and refined since 1940, and the Statement on Professional
Ethics of the same organization, insofar as these are not limited
by state law or the policies of the Louisiana Board of Regents.
The
University maintains that academic freedom is the right of the
academic community freely to study, discuss, investigate, teach,
conduct research, and publish as appropriate to their respective
roles and responsibilities. Because the common good depends upon
the free search for and exposition of truth and understanding,
full freedom in research and publications is essential, as is
the freedom to discuss scholarly subjects in the classroom.
While
the University does impose a requirement for a formal review and
approval process, beginning at the department level, for proposals
prepared for submission to external agencies, the University imposes
no limitation on the freedom of the faculty in the choice of fields
of inquiry or the means of public dissemination of the results
obtained. Research results (except for technical reports), unlike
research proposals, are not subject to the requirement of formal
review and approval. The University’s requirement for formal
review and approval of research proposals is not to be construed
as a restriction on academic freedom, but rather is deemed necessary
in the interest of efficient research planning and administration.
