G. Academic Freedom Word of Life Bible Institute is dedicated to academic freedom as maintained through reasoned discussion, intellectual honesty, and mutual respect to other thinkers. No topic or potential conclusion is off limits as long as the position taken falls within the published Mission Statement, Doctrinal Statement and Standards of Conduct that the faculty member signs to enjoy the position of “Faculty Member.” Faculty Members should feel free to question details of even these foundational documents in private with the understanding that, should their convictions change, and the institution is unwilling to do so, they may need to resign due to those changed convictions and inability to sign the foundational documents annually. Academic freedom and responsibility must go together. We expect faculty members to use their freedom to help and not hinder the professional development of students and fellow staff members. Faculty academic freedom includes: 1. The right and responsibility to present material in the classroom which aides in the understanding of the subject at hand as advertised in the approved course descriptions. 2. The right and responsibility to determine course content, grading, and classroom procedures in the courses taught as guided by the institutional mission statement 3. The right and responsibility to pursue continuing educational opportunities, personal research and extra-curricular speaking, writing and advising. 4. The right and responsibility to participate in community activities. 5. The right and responsibility to seek changes in institutional policy only through established procedures. 6. The right and responsibility to work through differences of opinion in a gracious manner. 7. The right and responsibility to clearly identify his or her personal opinions as being those of a private individual and not as representing Word of Life Bible Institute. H. Faculty Grievances Based on Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 6:16, Christians are to settle disputes outside the civil court system. This includes disputes between employees and Word of Life Fellowship. The process of Christian conciliation is the three-step process found in Matthew 18:15–17. By accepting employment, the employee agrees that Christian conciliation is the remedy for resolving any controversy or claim arising during, or as a result of, employment with Word of Life (see Word of Life Fellowship International Staff Handbook). If a member of the faculty feels that they have been denied fair and just treatment, they shall submit a written statement of their grievance, together with the factual basis and any supporting statements or evidence to the Academic Dean. The Academic Dean will discuss the grievance with them. The matter will then be discussed with other members of the faculty. If it is not completely settled, then the Academic Dean will submit the complaint and all supporting materials, together with his findings, to the President, and the Chancellor. They shall review the charge, findings, and make the final decision regarding the grievance. I. Faculty Evaluations At the end of each course, students complete evaluations of the lecturer. The results of these evaluations are placed in the faculty members file, which he or she can review in the Academic Dean’s Office. Resident lecturers are assessed in peer-to-peer format at least once per year. The Academic Dean functions as the primary peer-to-peer evaluator and manager of faculty assessment. Faculty assessment efforts are coordinated between New York and Florida.
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