Academic Freedom Policy

1.2.1 Student Rights

Students at the University have the same rights and protections that are included in the constitution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as citizens or non-citizens. In addition, students must adhere to the rules and regulations issued by the Ministry of Education (MoE):

1. Students have the right to be treated fairly and with dignity regardless of age, color, creed, disability, marital status, national origin or ancestry, race, religion, or sex.
2. The teacher-student relationship within the classroom is confidential, and disclosure of a student's personal or political beliefs expressed in connection with coursework will not be made public without explicit permission of the student. It is understood that the teacher may undertake the usual evaluation of knowledge and academic performance.
3. Students' records may be released to or examined by persons outside the University only upon request of the student or through compliance with applicable laws.
4. Students are free, individually or in association with other individuals, to engage in all campus activities as long as they do not in any way purport to represent the University.
5. Students are free to use campus facilities for meetings of student-chartered campus organizations, subject to regulations as to time and manner governing the facility.
6. Students may invite and hear speakers of their choice on subjects of their choice and approval will not be withheld by university officers for the purpose of censorship.
7. Students will have their views and welfare considered in the formation of the University policy and will be consulted by or may be represented on university committees that affect students as members of the University community on a case-by-case basis.
8. Individual's religious and spiritual beliefs are respected.
9. Students have freedom of research, of legitimate classroom discussion, and of the advocacy of opinions alternative to those presented in the classroom.
10. Students will be evaluated on knowledge and academic performance for purposes of granting academic credit and not on the basis of personal or political beliefs.
11. Students will be free from censorship in the publication and dissemination of their views as long as these are not represented as the views of Alfaisal University.
12. Students' publications are free from any official action controlling editorial policy. Publications shall not bear the name of the University or purport to issue from it without University approval.
13. Students are free, in abidance with University's regulations to form/join/participate in any group of intellectual, organizational, religious, social, economic, political, or cultural purposes.

5.1 Academic Freedom

Alfaisal University is committed to principles of academic freedom with respect to teaching and intellectual inquiry, the ethical and reasoned conduct of research, publication of findings, and expressions of ideas and beliefs. Alfaisal University recognizes, however, that it operates within the context of the culture, norms, and laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. There are, therefore, some legal and social restrictions of which the members of the faculty should be aware of and which they should observe. Public (including classroom) discussion of sensitive political or religious issues, preaching, and group worship (other than Islam) are prohibited. A detailed orientation presentation and discussion of such restrictions will be provided during new faculty orientation. Furthermore, the use and/or importation of mind-altering drugs, potable alcohol, and/or pornographic material are criminal offenses with very serious penalties in the courts.