Academic Freedom: A Realistic Appraisal

Writing in International Higher Education, Philip G. Altbach's is one of three related articles in the Fall 2009 issue:

Academic freedom does not essentially concern how universities are managed, whether they are adequately funded or even how the faculty is compensated. This privilege does not ensure that professors have a role in governance but should guarantee that they can speak out on internal management issues without fear of sanction. Academic freedom does not relate to accountability. Universities may legitimately demand appropriate productivity from faculty members. Professors’ work may be evaluated, and inadequate performance may lead to sanctions or even, in extreme cases, firing, but only after careful procedures that do not violate academic freedom. Academic freedom protects professorial freedom of teaching, research, and expression—and nothing else.