Academic Freedom and Rights Policy

Academic Freedom and Rights Policy 

Purpose

Academic freedom refers to the environment, provided by the university, that enables faculty members to engage in scholarly pursuits related to teaching, research and associated activities in higher education institutions. Accordingly, academic freedom encompasses the conditions necessary for the University to fulfill its mission of generating new knowledge and effectively transmitting accumulated knowledge and understanding to students and to society at large. Academic responsibility means that all members of the University have the right to express their own views and to listen to the views expressed by others, while also acknowledging their responsibilities, and it entails the duty and obligation of all faculty members to conduct their academic work with integrity. The University must be an institution that protects and respects the rights of its members to express themselves and the rights of others to learn, conduct research and carry out the core functions of the University free from interference and obstruction.

Statement 

Bahçeşehir University (BAU) is committed to protecting and promoting academic freedom and freedom of expression within the University. Academic freedom and freedom of expression are of paramount value and form the foundation of all the University's efforts and operations as an educational institution grounded in the importance of the pursuit of knowledge, understanding and truth.

Through its Academic Freedom and Rights Policy, prepared in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye, which protects the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals without discrimination, BAU guarantees academic freedom for everyone at the University. Academic freedom means being able to teach without any restriction, to express ideas as desired by freely choosing areas of research and publication, and not being subject to censorship by one's institution.

Academic freedom means:

(a) the freedom of academic staff to teach, discuss and conduct research, and to disseminate and publish the results of their research;

(b) the freedom of academic staff and students to engage in intellectual inquiry, to express their ideas and beliefs, and to contribute to public debate in relation to their fields of study and research;

(c) the freedom of academic staff and students to express their views about the higher education provider at which they work or are enrolled;

(d) the freedom of academic staff to participate in professional or representative academic bodies;

(e) the freedom of students to participate in student communities and associations.

If a BAU employee, affiliate or student believes that their academic freedom or freedom of expression has been unreasonably restricted or limited, they are expected to report the matter without delay to the relevant units (Human Resources Directorate, Legal Unit, Dean of Students Office).

This policy was established in 2020 and updated in 2022.