Faculty union launches academic freedom awards

Submitted by Bob Congdon
Phone: (907)786-4090
02/09/04

The Alaska Community Colleges’ Federation of Teachers announces the first-ever "ACCFT Academic Freedom Awards" to recognize the defense and promotion of academic freedom in Alaska and elsewhere.

"Academic freedom must always remain a bedrock principle at any university that truly seeks to serve students, the search for truth, and the larger society," said Bob Congdon, president of ACCFT.

"These awards will recognize individuals or organizations that have courageously promoted or defended academic freedom in some significant way," Congdon said. "Responsible citizens recognize academic freedom’s role in a thriving democracy. ACCFT seeks to highlight individuals and groups that have pursued, promoted or defended academic freedom. We look forward to the nominations and making the awards."

ACCFT represents more than 300 faculty members throughout Alaska on all University of Alaska campuses.

ACCFT ACADEMIC FREEDOM AWARDS
The Alaska Community Colleges’ Federation of Teachers annually honors the outstanding performance of up to three individuals, projects or organizations for their contributions to the cause of Academic Freedom:
1) Within the Academic Community
2) Within the Professional Community
3) Within the General Public
Deadline: Materials must be postmarked on or before March 26, 2004.
Award: $500
Commemorative Plaque
ACCFT Executive Board Presentation

Address nominations to:

Chair, ACCFT Academic Freedom Committee
3211 Providence Drive, K-214
Anchorage, Alaska 99508

ACCFT Academic Freedom Awards Criteria

Purpose

The democratic way of life depends for its very existence upon the free contest and examination of ideas. Within that context, academic freedom speaks profoundly to the unique role of universities as the world’s "free marketplace of ideas." At the University of Alaska, Faculty Members, as well as all associated with or who come in contact with the university, including staff, students and others, must be free to speak, publish, associate, act, research, create, teach, counsel, design curricula, and oversee libraries in the pursuit of truth. Academic Freedom goes beyond Constitutional guarantees associated with free speech and rights of association. Academic Freedom includes the ability to speak freely, not merely the right to do so. The ability is protected by such things as tenure, adequate compensation, sufficient resources to explore new ideas, and an atmosphere that promotes intellectual challenge.

The university’s role in protecting academic freedom for all must be regularly reinforced through the recognition of those who have significantly advanced the cause of academic freedom. The ACCFT Academic Freedom Awards are given annually to recognize and honor those who have distinguished themselves in promoting and defending the principles of academic freedom through its advocacy and in its defense.

Eligibility

Candidates for--and ultimately the recipients of--these awards can hail from any sector of society. Honorees must have engaged themselves in the cause of academic freedom in the face of, say, public pressure or some other personal challenge, such as an unpopular or minority idea or opinion demonstrating courage, defense of controversial issues or materials, censorship, infringement from expression, and so forth--all in the search for truth, including the whole truth. Honorees will have advocated and promoted the cause of academic freedom in some significant way. The activities must be verifiable.

Nominations should include supporting documentation (including any kind of publication or other communication such as journalistic writing, artistic expression, legal writings, and so forth), and up to ten letters of support or other pieces of documentation. Letters should explain the nominee’s worthiness for an award. The criteria for the ACCFT Academic Freedom Award must, by necessity, remain broad, as long as the nominee demonstrates extraordinary will, character, courage, intelligence and integrity in the defense of academic freedom. No awards may be given, and up to three awards may be granted annually, upon the sole and final judgment of the ACCFT Executive Board.