UM Classroom Recording Policy: Draft discussed at 10/6/11 MU Faculty Council Meeting

POLICY ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM, COURSE

DISCUSSION AND PRIVACY

The Board of Curators of the University of Missouri long ago adopted a statement emphasizing the importance of academic freedom as it relates to faculty members.  That statement, found at Section 310.010 of the Collected Rules and Regulations, expresses the view that academic freedom of its academic staff is “indispensable to the success of the University of Missouri in fulfilling its obligations to its students and to society”.  However, that statement does not address, in any significant way, the importance of academic freedom for students of the University of Missouri. 

It is vitally important for the University of Missouri to foster and maintain an educational environment which promotes free discussion, inquiry and expression by students, both inside the course and out, without fear that their exercise of such rights will have negative repercussions in areas over which the University of Missouri has responsibility.  It is equally important that students understand the narrow line separating their first amendment rights and the legal and privacy rights of others so that students can exercise those rights with responsibility. 

In the Course—

Information about student views, beliefs, and political associations that fellow students acquire in the context of course discussions should be handled responsibly by those fellow students with sensitivity to the potential that dissemination of information about such fellow students may be perceived as defamatory and/or may subject them to ridicule, harassment or reprisal from those who do not agree with the views, beliefs or political associations expressed in the course.

The professor in the course and in conference should encourage free discussion, inquiry, and expression. Student performance should be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards.

Information about student views, beliefs, and political associations that faculty members acquire in the context of course discussions should be handled responsibly with sensitivity to the potential that dissemination of information about students may be perceived as defamatory and/or may subject them to ridicule, harassment or reprisal from those who do not agree with the views, beliefs or political associations expressed in the course. Protection against improper disclosure is a serious professional obligation.

Restrictions on Disclosure and Distribution—

To foster a safe environment for learning, the unauthorized copying, editing, and redistribution of recordings of statements or comments in the course  in any form are prohibited without the written permission of the faculty engaged in the course.  Unauthorized copying or distribution of such materials is a violation of academic standards and may violate copyright laws and/or privacy rights.  Students found to have violated this policy are subject to discipline in accordance with the provisions of Section 200.020 of the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University of Missouri pertaining to student conduct matters.   Faculty and staff found to have violated this policy are subject to discipline in accordance with applicable University policies. 

Student Records—

The federal Family Educational Rights and Policy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C.§1232g, and the University of Missouri’s policy on student records, Section 180.020 and Section 180.025 of the Collected Rules and Regulations, describe student rights of access and rights of privacy which a student can expect with regard to his or her education records.  That law and University policy applies whether those education records are in hard copy, are electronically stored or are contained along with other images either recorded or broadcast in connection with courses available online or through distance learning.  The content of such education records should not be shared with individuals, other than individuals who have been determined by the University of Missouri to have an educational need to know, except in accordance with the provisions of FERPA and University policy.