University Updates and FAQs

This website contains many links to specific policies and processes that it references, and it is updated with new information, especially about announcements and events. Explore the contents, including the links, thoroughly, and check back often.

If you have suggestions about other topics that would be useful to cover, please contact provost@asu.edu.

Individuals who violate ASU’s policies may be removed from campus, prohibited from returning, and prohibited from participating in university programs or activities. They may also face civil penalties and may be arrested and charged criminally. Faculty, staff, and students who violate policies may also be subject to sanctions, including suspension, expulsion, and termination of employment, under codes of conduct specific to them.

Academic freedom is generally understood to protect the processes by which academics discriminate between what is true and false. Its purpose is not to protect all speech, no matter the content or the forum.  Instead, academic freedom enables scholars to seek truth, so it protects scholars’ ability to teach, research, and publish – including on controversial subjects –  in ways responsive to disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards and free from external interference.  Academic freedom also protects the ability of faculty members to act as citizens and to participate in university governance. 

For more about academic freedom, see here.

For more about free speech, see here.

All faculty conducting teaching and research have academic freedom. ACD 201 states, “Academic freedom is the right of every faculty member, academic professional, and other employees and students while engaged in teaching and/or research.” 

Teaching about challenging subjects is both important and difficult. We provide some tips in Faculty resources (link).  Talking with colleagues and unit leaders, both before and after teaching difficult topics, is also valuable. 

Important discussions can be hard, awkward, and unpredictable. We offer resources for responding to difficult (or “hot”) classroom moments here. 

If you feel threatened, whether you are a student, faculty, or staff member, contact ASU Police at (480) 965-3456.

There is no one way to answer this question.  Part of a university education is exploring unfamiliar and challenging ideas.  That can be unsettling but valuable, and following up with your instructor to discuss the material and your response to it is often a good choice.  If you are instead concerned that you or others face mistreatment in a class, you can contact leadership in the School or College that offers the course, or contact Student Advocacy and Assistance.  

Consulting with your school director, college dean, or faculty ombudsman may be helpful.  The Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure investigates alleged infringements on academic freedom for tenure-stream faculty. The Academic Professional Grievance Committee serves this role for all other faculty members.