As the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States, founded and sponsored by the bishops of the country with the approval of the Holy See, The Catholic University of America is committed to being a comprehensive Catholic and American institution of higher learning, faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ as handed down by the Church.

Dedicated to advancing the dialogue between faith and reason, The Catholic University of America seeks to discover and impart the truth through excellence in teaching and research, all in service to the Church, the nation, and the world.

The Catholic University of America upholds academic freedom as a fundamental condition for research and dissemination of information. The University is a center of discourse where inquiry is encouraged and discoveries are verified and refined by the interaction of scholar with scholar.

Several policies are in place to reaffirm that commitment to academic freedom in alignment with the University’s mission:

PROCEDURES RELATING TO ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Purpose
1. Several University Policies set forth the academic freedom and freedom of expression standards the University maintains in compliance with the American Bar Association’s Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression Requirements.
2. These Procedures implement the University’s academic freedom and freedom of expression Policies in order to give the University community more detailed guidance regarding how the core commitments reflected in these Policies are instantiated on our campus.
Academic Freedom Policies
1. “The Catholic University of America affirms its commitment to academic freedom. In so doing, it reaffirms its commitment to the tradition of higher learning that is the heritage of both the Roman Catholic Church and the nation. It is a tradition that posits freedom of inquiry, open discussion and unrestricted exchange of ideas as essential to the pursuit of knowledge.”
  See Faculty Handbook, section 3: Statement on Academic Freedom.
2. The Catholic University of America values and defends the right of free speech and the freedom of members of the University community to express themselves on University property, provided that such expression does not violate the law or applicable University policies. Opposition to an idea or event can be expressed in clear and meaningful ways without substantially disrupting an event. See Procedures Relating to Presentations Policy.
3. “The Catholic University of America is dedicated to the pursuit of truth wherever it can be found. Faculty and students enjoy the academic freedom essential for genuine scholarly study and research, as contemplated by and to the extent consistent with the University's mission. Academic freedom applies to activities of faculty members in their writings, lecturing, and teaching. Academic freedom applies to students in their access to all legitimate sources of information and in their participation in academic dialogue.” See Presentations Policy, section 2: Policy for Presentations and Balanced Programs.
4. The foregoing academic freedom policies and all other relevant Catholic University policies apply to all full and part-time faculty in the Columbus School of Law, as well as to all others teaching law school courses, including a person who does not have faculty status, who engages in a covered activity while they are engaging in that covered activity. They apply to conducting research, publishing scholarship, engaging in law school governance, participating in law-related public service activities, curating library collections, and providing information services, and exercising teaching responsibilities, including those related to client representation in clinical programs.
Free Expression Policies
1. “The freedom to express oneself verbally, in writing, or by peaceful demonstration, even in significantly controversial matters, may be constrained in a private university by other values which are held to be equal, greater or prior [than such freedom]. The Catholic University of America, as a private institution, is not required to provide a forum for advocates whose values are counter to those of the University or the Roman Catholic Church.” See Presentations Policy, section 2: Policy for Presentations and Balanced Programs.
2. The University recognizes that scholars use diverse methods and sources to explicate the original deposit of faith and to discern patterns of doctrinal development over the centuries. The University also recognizes that freedom of inquiry, thought, and expression is requisite to the advancement of knowledge and to the deepening of understanding in matters of faith. See Faculty Handbook
3. The University recognizes a distinction between objective explanation and advocacy in the presentation of issues. This means, therefore, that it may refuse permission to prospective speakers who, in its judgment, promote or advocate such counter values. This also means that balanced programs explaining positions on both sides of controversial societal, political, moral, and/or ecclesiastical issues may be staged in the pursuit of a more complete educational experience and a greater understanding of the issues. Hence, in such matters, even with respect to those in which the Roman Catholic Church has expressed clear and unambiguous official teaching, programs involving knowledgeable spokespersons representing opposing viewpoints may be considered to be appropriate within the University setting. Conversely, programs designed to promote action rather than understanding, while not necessarily inappropriate in themselves, are not clearly "educational" in a strict sense. The University refuses to allow advocacy programs judged by the administration to be inconsistent with the University's Catholic mission and, in so doing, exercises its freedom as a private, religious institution. See Presentations Policy
4. The Columbus School of Law protects the rights of faculty, students, and staff to communicate ideas that may be controversial or unpopular, including through robust debate, demonstrations, or protests.
Due Process
1. The Columbus School of Law affords due process in the assessment of any claim of a violation of the Law School’s academic freedom policies. The process that is due varies with respect to the severity of the alleged violation and the discipline imposed, the status of the speaker, and other factors reflected in the policies.
2. University Policies Related to Academic Freedom or Freedom of Expression - Complaints brought by Individuals:
  1. Complaint Submission: Respect for the inherent dignity and intrinsic value of each person is a cornerstone of Catholic University’s community ideals. We are therefore each responsible for bringing suspected misconduct to the attention of University officials when we have a good faith belief that the conduct has occurred. Misconduct means non-compliance with a law, University policy, the Code of Student Conduct, the Code of Conduct for Staff and Faculty, or other standard or requirement applicable to the University.
  2. All inquiries and all good faith reports of suspected misconduct, regardless of whether they are substantiated and regardless of the method of reporting, can be made free from fear of retaliation per the University's Non-Retaliation Policy.
  3. Prompt reporting is encouraged. Persons may report allegations of misconduct at any time, and are encouraged to report promptly in order to maximize the University’s ability to obtain evidence, identify potential witnesses and conduct a thorough, prompt, and impartial investigation.
  4. Information on the appropriate manner to file complaints is contained on The Catholic University Website.
  5. Initial Review: The Law School shall conduct a brief initial review and refer the matter to the appropriate University office for review and investigation.
  6. Investigation: If the complaint is determined to have facially alleged a violation of University policy, a University Official will then conduct a prompt and thorough investigation. The investigation may include contacting witnesses to the alleged violation and any other steps the investigator determines to be required in order to assess the facts and make a determination. Procedure for Assessing Alleged Violations: Disciplinary Action at the University’s Initiative For Violation of University Policy
  7. Initiation of Conduct Procedure: If the University believes that an individual faculty, staff person, student, or other individual covered by relevant policies has violated University policies implicating the University’s commitment to academic freedom and free expression–including policies asserting the University’s Catholic identity and mission–the University may review and investigate the matter consistent with the Faculty Handbook, Code of Conduct for Faculty and Staff, or the Student Code of Conduct.
3. University Policies Related to Academic Freedom or Freedom of Expression - Procedure for Assessing Alleged Violations - Complaints Brought by the University:
  1. Initiation of Conduct Grievance Procedure: If the University believes that an individual faculty, staff person, or student, or other individual covered by relevant policies has violated University policies implicating the University’s commitment to academic freedom and free expression–including policies asserting the University’s Catholic identity and mission–the University may initiative a grievance procedure against that individual and investigate the matter consistent with the Faculty Handbook, Code of Conduct for Faculty and Staff, or the Student Code of Conduct.