Policy Office > Academic and Research Affairs Policies > Intellectual Diversity (S-27)

Intellectual Diversity (S-27)

Standard: S-27
Responsible Executive: Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Responsible Office: Office of the Provost and Office of the Vice President for Human Resources
Date Issued: July 1, 2024
Date Last Revised: June 1, 2025

Table of Contents

Contacts
Individuals and Entities Affected
Statement of Standard
Responsibilities
Definitions (defined terms are capitalized throughout the document)
Related Documents, Forms and Tools
History and Updates
Appendix

Contacts

Clarification of Standard

Office of the Provost
765-494-6835 | provost@purdue.edu

Individuals and Entities Affected

All faculty, lecturers, teaching assistants, and other employees and individuals assigned teaching responsibilities.

Statement of Standard

As a public institution in the state of Indiana, Purdue University endeavors to employ faculty, lecturers, instructors, teaching assistants and others assigned teaching responsibilities who foster a culture of free inquiry, free expression and intellectual diversity and expose students to scholarly works from a variety of political or ideological frameworks that may be within and applicable to the given academic discipline, while refraining from subjecting students to views and opinions concerning matters not related to the discipline or assigned course of instruction.

Faculty being reviewed for tenure and/or promotion are evaluated on the above expectations in addition to the criteria outlined in the policy on Academic Tenure and Promotion (I.B.2). Faculty members awarded tenure are evaluated at least every five years thereafter on the same expectations.

For non-tenured faculty and other employees and individuals assigned teaching responsibilities, the University considers the above stated expectations as part of the performance review process, prior to renewing employment agreements, and prior to awarding any bonuses. Failure to meet the expectations may result in appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, determinations made with respect to the expectations described in this standard will take into account the appropriate exercise of academic freedom and the academic standards established by the faculty of the college in which the instructor works, and, in any event, may not consider any of the following actions by individuals affected by this standard: (1) expressing dissent or engaging in research or public commentary on subjects; (2) criticizing the institution’s leadership; or (3) engaging in any political activity conducted outside the faculty member’s teaching duties at the University.

Responsibilities

Office of the Provost

  • Administer this standard.

Chancellors

  • Administer this standard on their respective campuses in consultation with the Provost.

Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance

  • Ensure coordination of policies supported by this standard through work of the EPRG.

Faculty, Lecturers, Teaching Assistants, and Other Employees and Individuals Assigned Teaching Responsibilities

  • Comply with this standard.

Definitions

All defined terms are capitalized throughout the document. Additional defined terms may be found in the central Policy Glossary.

Related Documents, Forms and Tools

This standard is issued in support of the following policies, as amended or superseded:

Other related policies and documents:

History and Updates

June 1, 2025: Clarified the expectations of faculty, lecturers, teaching assistants and other teaching staff. Removed interim status.

July 1, 2024: This is the first standard to address this issue.

Appendix

There are no appendices to this standard.