Policy
Statement on Human Understanding
By its very nature, an academic institution must protect and encourage intellectual inquiry, divergent points of view, pursuit of knowledge, discourse, and research. Throughout the history of academe, this commitment has underpinned the important principle of academic freedom. Consistent with academic pursuits and related activities, it is crucial that an effective institution of higher education embrace the values of human understanding.
Academic freedom sustains the privilege of faculty to determine how best to achieve intellectual goals and discipline competence within the classroom. Faculty must be cognizant of the diverse changing needs of students and the environment within which they will be pursuing their personal and professional aspirations.
While not espousing or endorsing any particular curricular approach or strategies, Shippensburg University must endeavor to create a university culture which allows all involved the freedom, recognition, and opportunity to better understand diversity and civil ways of behaving between and among individuals and groups. All members of this university community--faculty, administrators, students, and staff--must continue to work at interconnecting the importance of academic inquiry and knowledge with the meaningful values associated with human understanding, especially the appreciation of cultural, racial, and gender differences.
Shippensburg University is committed to developing and implementing, both in the classroom and throughout the campus, appropriate strategies to achieve the common goals of greater human understanding, appreciation, and awareness. This community, because of its intellectual, social, and programmatic roots, must strive to foster an organizational culture that celebrates multiculturalism and diversity.
Approved by President's Cabinet 10/30/91
Page Content maintained by:
Office of Social Equity
Dr. Melodye Wehrung, Director
Old Main 200
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299
PH: (717) 477-1161
Fax: (717) 477-4001
