Valencia College is committed to upholding the principle of academic freedom throughout the institution. This commitment is supported through college policies, faculty resources, and student support services.
The District Board of Trustees has adopted the Academic Freedom policy (Policy 6Hx28:4‑02), which affirms that academic freedom and academic responsibility are essential to the College’s mission. Faculty and students must be free to explore ideas, conduct research, and pursue creative work in an environment that encourages inquiry, open dialogue, and scholarly criticism. Protection of academic freedom is also incorporated into Valencia’s tenure policy (Policy 6Hx28:3E‑02). This policy recognizes that tenure supports academic freedom, which is vital to sustaining intellectual, social, and political freedom in a democratic society.
Valencia College provides several avenues for students to raise concerns, including the Academic Dispute and Administrative Complaint Resolution process (Policy 6Hx28:8-10). Students may speak with a Student Ombudsman, an independent, impartial resource for discussing complaints, concerns, or problems privately. Visit the Student Academic Dispute Resolution section of this catalog to learn more.
