The University of Toronto has established its fundamental commitment of the
protection of Academic Freedom in many documents, including the following:
University of Toronto
Mission Statement
“The University of Toronto is dedicated to fostering an academic community in which the learning and scholarship of every member may flourish, with vigilant protection for individual human rights, and a resolute commitment to the principles of equal opportunity, equity and justice. Within the unique university context, the most crucial of all human rights are the rights of freedom of speech, academic freedom, and freedom of research. And we affirm that these rights are meaningless unless they entail the right to raise deeply disturbing questions and provocative challenges to the cherished beliefs of society at large and of the university itself”
University of Toronto Governing Council
Statement of Institutional Purpose on October 15, 1992
Definition of Academic Freedom
“Academic freedom is the freedom to examine, question, teach, and learn, and it involves the right to investigate, speculate, and comment without reference to prescribed doctrine, as well as the right to criticize the University of Toronto and society at large.”
University of Toronto Definition of Academic Freedom (Article 5, University of Toronto Memorandum of Agreement between the Governing Council of the University and the University of Toronto Faculty Association)
Statement of Freedom
“The existence of an institution where unorthodox ideas, alternative modes of thinking and living, and radical prescriptions for social ills can be debated contributes immensely to social and political change and the advancement of human rights both inside and outside the University. Often this debate may generate controversy and disputes among members of the University and of the wider community.
In such cases, the University’s primary obligation is to protect the free speech of all involved. The University must allow the fullest range of debate. It should not limit that debate by preordaining conclusions, or punishing or inhibiting the reasonable exercise of free speech.”
University of Toronto Statement on Freedom of Speech May 28, 1992
Statement on Discrimination
“The parties agree that there shall be no discrimination, interference, restriction, or coercion exercised or practiced toward any faculty member or librarian in respect to salaries, fringe benefits, pensions, rank, promotion, tenure, reappointment, dismissal, research or other leaves, or any other terms and conditions of employment by reason of age, race, creed, colour, disability, national origin, citizenship, religious or political affiliation or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or family status, place of residence, membership or activity in the Association, or any activity pursuant to the principles of academic freedom set out in Article 5, as well as any other ground included in or added to the Ontario Human Rights Code.”
University Statement on Discrimination (Article 9, University MOA between the Governing Council and the UTFA)
To see articles of interest on the topic of Academic Freedom, click below: