{"id":633,"date":"2026-01-26T15:25:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T20:25:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/about\/?page_id=633"},"modified":"2026-01-29T15:28:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T20:28:59","slug":"commitments","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/about\/history\/commitments\/","title":{"rendered":"Commitments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Commitments to Institutional Impartiality, Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech\n <\/h1>\n \n \n <\/header>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Carleton University affirms its resolute commitment to, and defence of, its fundamental purpose and core values, while maintaining institutional impartiality on specific matters about which individuals and groups at the institution may engage in free inquiry, disseminate and challenge knowledge, and hold different views as they exercise their academic freedom, freedom of speech and right to free expression within the confines of university policies and the law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Institutional Impartiality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carleton University affirms its commitment to fostering an environment where diverse perspectives can be explored, debated and challenged without institutional endorsement of any political or partisan position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Institutional Impartiality Policy<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Academic Freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carleton University’s definition of academic freedom is encapsulated in the following statement by Universities Canada, of which Carleton is a member:<\/p>\n\n\n

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“Academic freedom is the freedom to teach and conduct research in an academic environment. Academic freedom is fundamental to the mandate of universities to pursue truth, educate students and disseminate knowledge and understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In teaching, academic freedom is fundamental to the protection of the rights of the teacher to teach and of the student to learn. In research and scholarship, it is critical to advancing knowledge. Academic freedom includes the right to freely communicate knowledge and the results of research and scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike the broader concept of freedom of speech, academic freedom must be based on institutional integrity, rigorous standards for enquiry and institutional autonomy, which allows universities to set their research and educational priorities.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

For further details, view the Universities Canada statement on academic freedom<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collective Agreements<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Academic freedom at Carleton University is supported through the following collective agreements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n