Freedom of speech vital in universities
08 March 2008
The growth of the University is both exciting and challenging, and I think that applies to the perceptions in the wider community as well.
Sometimes the most challenging aspects to fully comprehend, quite apart from the physical issues like traffic and parking, are the varied views being expressed in the media, in particular.
Now with over 5000 students and over 1000 staff, the number of people wishing to air their views increases annually. That is to be expected and is a fundamental benefit of being associated with a university. Freedom of speech, along with a sense of social responsibility, is a vital facet of university life.
Occasionally, controversial issues arise and there are sometimes strong reactions from some members of the regional community to the individual or the views. They sometimes, however, criticise the “University”, even though they emanate from individuals, who should stand on their own expertise and knowledge.
It is important for everyone to know that we encourage academics to talk as individuals in their own areas of expertise. The area of politics, is of course, the most controversial.
No-one, however, should believe that these individual views are University policy. We do not attempt to censor such views.
But, the spokesperson on University policy is the Vice-Chancellor unless he is unavailable or delegates that responsibility.
These weekly columns are personal, but also based on the University’s approved strategic directions, values and mission.
So when staff or students express their views in the media, they are individual views. They are not the official stance of the “University”.
As the University grows, and more people speak out, I hope it will be understood that there is a need for everyone to discriminate between personal opinion in an area of professional expertise on the one hand, and official University policy expressed only through the Office of the Vice-Chancellor on the other hand.
Professor Paul Thomas AM is Vice-Chancellor at the University of the Sunshine Coast.