Independent Teaching, Independent Scholarly/Creative Work, and Academic Freedom

As stated in Article 5.B.2(B) of the Laws of the Regents, all university employees whose duties include independent teaching and/or independent scholarly/creative work are afforded the right of academic freedom relative to these duties.  This Administrative Policy Statement (APS) defines independent teaching and independent scholarly/creative work, thereby providing clarification on who has the right of academic freedom.

Independent teaching and independent scholarly/creative work are defined as activities that are primarily conducted free of direct oversight by another individual.

1. Course coordinators/directors and curriculum committees are not considered to be providing direct oversight of teaching.
2. Scholarly/creative work, including collaborative work, qualifies as independent provided the individual is directly responsible for managing their own activity or assigned work.

• ​Article 5, Part B:  Academic Freedom
• Regent Policy 5.B:  Academic Freedom


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• Adopted:  December 5, 2019; became effective July 1, 2020, with the rollout of the new regent article and policy 5 regarding faculty.
• Revised:   January 1, 2026, retitled from Independent Teaching and Scholarly/Creative Work.
• Last Reviewed:   January 1, 2026.