Academic Freedom Flex Workshops on the Horizon

By Luke Lara, FA Ombudsperson

Academic Freedom has been long regarded as essential to ensuring quality education in US colleges and universities. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP), founded in 1915, developed standards and principles that shaped higher education, including defining Academic Freedom. About three-quarters of colleges and universities with a tenure system have incorporated the language of the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure into their policies.

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Academic Freedom is a foundational right and responsibility at MiraCosta. This was affirmed in the recent negotiation between the District and the Faculty Assembly (FA) on the academic freedom article where we have reached a tentative agreement. We were able to codify strong academic freedom language aligned with the AAUP definition of academic freedom in our contract (see Mary’s email on 4/13/2026 titled: “CBA Tip #27: NEW Contractual Language on Academic Freedom”).

The District acknowledges this fundamental tenant of higher education and recognizes that academic freedom is under attack nationally. In an effort to help faculty understand their rights and responsibilities, the District has partnered with the FA to present several flex eligible workshops on “Understanding Academic Freedom & Free Speech in today’s climate: Tools for Faculty Success.” Two introductory presentations were made during the Spring 2026 semester.

A follow up presentation is being planned for the Fall 2026 semester flex week. Come join us for the second session, designed to deepen faculty understanding of academic freedom and free speech within the context of today’s evolving and often challenging anti-DEI landscape. In this in-person workshop, participants will engage with real-world classroom scenarios and take part in guided discussions on how to effectively navigate complex situations. Together, we will explore strategies for addressing potential challenges while centering inclusive teaching practices that support open dialogue and equitable learning environments.

Stay tuned to more announcements preceding fall flex week. If you have questions about academic freedom, please reach out toLuke Lara, your FA Ombudsperson.