We the faculty of Montana State University Billings support and are dedicated to the principle of academic freedom as expressed by Montana Board of Regents Policy 302 and the American Association of University Professors. We hereby quote these three principles of academic freedom from the American Association of University Professors:

1. Teachers are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of their other academic duties; but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of the institution.
2. Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they should be careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to their subject. Limitations of academic freedom because of religious or other aims of the institution should be clearly stated in writing at the time of the appointment.
3. College and university teachers are citizens, members of a learned profession, and officers of an educational institution. When they speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position in the community imposes special obligations. As scholars and educational officers, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence they should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.

It is the right of faculty and students to work and learn in an environment of academic freedom.

Reference

AAUP (2022). 1940 Statement of Principles of Academic Freedom and Tenure.

https://www.aaup.org/report/1940-statement-principles-academic-freedom-and-tenure