Our Academic Freedom is under threat from all directions in the current sociopolitical climate. Faculty are wondering “What are my protections?” “What do I do if a student tries to record me in the classroom?” “What if I get doxxed for the materials I am teaching?” Our union protections are strong, but it’s important to know your rights!

Last Monday the 27th, CFA Sacramento members gathered to discuss these threats, learn about our rights, and talk about how we can take care of each other.

Here are five key takeaways from that conversation:

1) Academic Freedom is Your Union working! Our Academic Freedom Rights were won as part of our contract!

…and we are fighting to make these protections even stronger

The opening of our contract states: “The CSU shall support the pursuit of excellence and academic freedom in teaching, research, and learning through the free exchange of ideas among the faculty, students, and staff. The parties recognize that quality education requires an atmosphere of academic freedom and academic responsibility. The parties acknowledge and encourage the continuation of academic freedom while recognizing that the concept of academic freedom is accompanied by a corresponding concept of responsibility to the University and its students.”

The CFA Bargaining Team will be passing new proposals related to Academic Freedom to management once they come to the table November 20-21. Get active in our union to ensure we get a strong contract. It’s more important than ever to JOIN CFA. .

2) Rules for Recording Class

  • Students CANNOT record you in class without a signed accommodation
  • Additionally,the “Audio Recording Agreement” that students sign states that these recordings cannot be shared or used for non-educational purposes. 
  • Students with approved accommodations are also told to erase recordings within 14 days after they receive their final grade for the class. 

CFA Member-leaders worked with the Provost’s office this semester to post these important guidelines publicly on the Disability Access Center (DAC) website. Take a look at the DAC online to learn more about the parameters for class recording! Of course, students could always try to record and post material without your consent, but this is against the CSUS Code of Conduct.

CFA also encourages faculty to talk with their students about how AI recording outside of approved accommodations might negatively impact both the classroom environment and their own learning. Let’s not demonize students in this: they are not the enemy. In fact, they are being encouraged by the CSU system to use these tools in their classes for “student success.” A team of CFA member-leaders on our campus is developing syllabus language around this now! Reach out to Mya at mdosch@calfac.org if you want to be involved.

3) Post wisely: Post on social media – but do so thoughtfully

CFA is affiliated with the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), which offers the following tips for posting on social media: 

  • Set your personal social media accounts to private mode. When prompted, approve the setting to make all previous post private.
  • Be mindful that anything you post online can be screenshotted and shared.
  • Before posting or reposting online commentary, pause and ask yourself:
    1. Am I comfortable with this view potentially being shared with my employer, my students, or the public?
    2. Have I (or the person I am reposting) expressed this view in terms I would be comfortable sharing with my employer, my students, or the public?
  • In your social media bios, state that the views expressed through the account represent your own opinions and not your employer. You do not need to name your employer.

4) Be Proactive – You can (and should!) take proactive steps to protect yourself against doxxing and other threats 

The AAUP also offers a very helpful Academic Freedom First Aid Kit full of resources and tips on digital security, travel safety for vulnerable travelers, and more. Peruse this now.

5) Your Union is All of Us – We have these rights, but we need to protect, support, and defend them (and each other) in times of doxxing and repression. 

Reach out to your CFA Sacramento member-leaders if you are targeted in any way. We can support each other. Plus, we want to track these cases and push campus administration to support faculty.  AAUP nation-wide also has a group of “Faculty First Responders” that can offer support if your Academic Freedom rights come under attack. We are also building out a peer Academic Freedom response team of CFA members here on campus. Please reach out to Mya at mdosch@calfac.org if you want to be involved.

We have STRONG PROTECTIONS as union members.
And we KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE!
As we move into bargaining, UNION STRENGTH COMES FROM YOU.
The most important first step is ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP – JOIN CFA

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