Academic Freedom for Faculty

Faculty have the freedom to conduct research, create scholarly or creative work, and teach without undue constraint, while maintaining professional standards. They are responsible for determining classroom content, for taking care to avoid introducing controversial material which has no relation to their subject, and for making faculty hiring decisions based on scholarly and teaching accomplishments. When they speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or undue discipline, but their special position in the community imposes corresponding obligations. As scholars, educators, and citizens, faculty should be accurate, exercise appropriate restraint, respect differing opinions, and make clear that they are speaking for themselves rather than for the university or any academic unit.

Open Discourse and Free Expression

As outlined on the USC Freedom of Expression website, the university is committed to fostering an environment where all ideas can be discussed and challenged. We aim to build an academic community that thinks critically—even when doing so may cause discomfort.

However, expression may be regulated when it falls into legally unprotected categories—such as true threats or harassment—or when it substantially disrupts university operations, in accordance with the university’s reasonable time, place and manner standards.

Consistent with its principle of institutional restraint, the university does not issue statements or take sides in political or social debates unless the matter directly relates to its institutional mission or operations. The university recognizes that official statements can unintentionally silence individuals, appear to speak for all and create a perception of orthodoxy that stifles free speech. Individual faculty and students remain free to express their personal views on public issues.