2.B.2 Independent Thought in the Pursuit and Dissemination of Knowledge
Within the context of its mission and values, the institution defines and actively promotes an environment that supports independent thought in the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge. It affirms the freedom of faculty, staff, administrators, and students to share their scholarship and reasoned conclusions with others. While the institution and individuals within the institution may hold to a particular personal, social, or religious philosophy, its constituencies are intellectually free to test and examine all knowledge and theories, thought, reason, and perspectives of truth. Individuals within the institution allow others the freedom to do the same.
Freely sharing scholarship is important within the UA system, including at UAF. As described in Section 2.B.1 on Academic Freedom, the UA system has policies () and agreements (Collective Bargaining Agreement with United Academics) in place that are designed to protect the academic freedom of all members of its educational community. UA actively promotes these freedoms and works to widely promote and disseminate knowledge. For example, under, faculty have the right to 鈥渆xercise academic freedom鈥.
Faculty and staff at UAF learn about their academic freedom responsibilities for presenting academic and research scholarship fairly, accurately, and objectively during their initial orientation as well as through development opportunities sponsored by the , UAF Faculty Senate and , and former UAF Staff Council and . Faculty and staff can also take advantage of resources and ongoing training that discuss the responsibilities associated with academic freedom, including ethics and integrity workshops, offered by , the UAF Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) iTeach program, and the UAF Office of Research Integrity. The MILL (Making Is Learning Lab), a CTL collaboration with The MIX, is an interdisciplinary makerspace for faculty, staff, and students that encourages innovation, engagement, and creativity to enhance the UAF educational experience.
As a that offers workforce-focused credentials and degrees through doctoral programs, including innovative and flexible scaffolded credentialing, instructional faculty and staff have widely varying workload assignments. For example, some instructors are fully devoted to instruction, with no specific research or creative activity assignments, while others are engaged in a mix of teaching and research. Further, UAF instructors teach across the spectrum of synchronous in-person, asynchronous online, and hybrid or hyflex instructional modalities. To support this range of instruction while promoting best practices in pedagogy and innovative, interdisciplinary teaching and learning environments, the CTL, which includes, serves as a hub for evidence-based and inclusive teaching practices where faculty and instructors can learn from one another and the higher education community. Through collaboration, research, innovation, and leadership, the CTL is responsive to the teaching goals and priorities of faculty and academic units, and includes an assortment of teaching resources, instructional development opportunities, and a community of Scholarship Of Teaching and Learning (SOTL).
Faculty, staff, and students at UAF are encouraged to explore a variety of theories and perspectives as part of their research and creative activity development and dissemination responsibilities. For example, research is published in top peer-reviewed journals and other academic platforms. University employees and students present their findings at conferences or engage in immersive experiences to showcase their creative scholarship at state, national, and international levels. Faculty, staff, and students often belong to academic and professional organizations that require members to fulfill the responsibilities of academic freedom, including leadership, service, instruction, and communication of research and creative scholarship from within their disciplines honestly, truthfully, and objectively and while differentiating personal from professional beliefs. Many employees and students also participate in scholarship that extends to public affairs, showcasing their commitment to addressing issues of significant public concern. Similarly, opportunities for free expression and the exchange of ideas are fostered through numerous on- and off-campus events, exhibits, and other similar pursuits. For example, findings and activities led by faculty, staff, and students are showcased at regular university-sponsored events, such as the , Discover Alaska lecture series, UAF Research and Creative Activity Day, the , 鈥淢usic at One鈥 weekly concert hour, and 鈥淏eyond the 9-5鈥 art exhibit. Dozens of similar examples occur across all UAF colleges, research institutes, and Troth Yeddha鈥 and rural campuses throughout the year.