Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a Catholic institution of higher learning which seeks to serve diverse communities of learners through educational programs which embrace a Catholic values orientation and foster ethical development. As an institution of higher education it exists for the common good which depends upon the free search for truth and its free expression. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is rooted in its Catholic and Lasallian intellectual and cultural traditions made contemporary for the times in which we live. It is essential to maintain academic freedom for both students and faculty.

Among other significant areas, academic freedom pertains to all types of artistic expression whether that derives from student work, faculty projects, or exhibits displayed by the university from outside sources or artists. Artistic expression would include but not be limited to the fine arts, the performing arts, the graphic arts or less traditional forms of creative expression, i.e., electronic, computer, etc. At times, conflict may arise between an artistic expression and individuals who disagree with the appropriateness of a particular artwork. As a means of dealing with these situations, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has chosen to establish this policy governing artistic expression. This policy seeks to preserve the integrity of artistic expressions while at the same time preserving the right of the community to make fair, balanced and considered judgments not to exhibit artistic expressions which are judged to be obscene, sacrilegious or racist, or which promote ethnic or religious hatred, or which, for the purpose of advocacy only, promote values in clear contradiction of the university’s mission.

As a Catholic institution of higher education with a publicly stated mission, the university will use the following criteria for assessing artistic expressions.

1. The artistic expressions should meet the formal aesthetic criteria of unity, variety and emotional intensity. The goal will be to exhibit works of quality that have power to evoke aesthetic response.
2. The artistic expressions should meet the criterion of appropriateness within the context of the teaching mission of the university. Art that violates the mission may be deemed inappropriate for display on campus.
3. Artistic expressions on campus should recognize the diversity of people and points of view. In a pluralistic world we must be open to differences and must encourage debate as an opportunity for learning.
4. Potentially offensive or controversial artistic expression, if deemed appropriate, must be advertised as such so people can make an informed decision about viewing it.

Faculty and students of the university are citizens and members of a particular educational institution. When they speak, write or create art, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position as members, who freely choose to be part of this Catholic university, concurrently imposes upon them some obligations. They should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their words and their works. They should at all times exercise appropriate sensitivity, show respect for the opinions of others, and recognize that their words, actions and artistic expressions will reflect on the university.

In the shared experience as a Catholic university, all members of the community must appreciate that inevitably there will be differing opinions which may then create controversial situations. At such times and in situations not covered in the employment handbooks, decisions must be made since no individual’s right to academic freedom and artistic expression is unfettered. At such times it is the responsibility and obligation of the president of the university to appoint, convene, and preside over a committee whose members will include, but not be limited to, the president of the university, the provost, the chair of the faculty body, the president of the Student Senate, and the dean of the Schools of Performing Arts to make appropriate decisions that best reflect and respect the mission of the university. After airing the issue at hand, each member of the committee, by secret ballot, shall vote his or her conscience in order to advise the president of the university on the issue at hand.

All faculty, staff and students should be familiar with this policy on artistic expression, and all should be prepared to practice good judgment at all times, and be available for consultations when these issues arise.

It (the Catholic university) possesses that institutional autonomy necessary to perform its functions effectively and guarantees its members academic freedom, so long as the rights of the individual person and of the community are preserved within the confines of truth and the common good.

Ex Corde Ecclesiae
John Paul II