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.
