Department Policy Statements

Studying the complexities of the past helps us understand the present. The Department of History of Western Michigan University maintains a strong and sustained commitment to respecting the diverse and unique views of all learners and to maintaining high expectations for each student. Within the context of this history course, we will be discussing potentially controversial topics, including but not limited to various world religions, ethnic groups, genders, political groups, violence, protest movements, and sexualities. The syllabus will provide guidelines regarding the nature of each week’s material. Class material, including lectures, readings, and handouts, may not be digitally or visually recorded or shared without the explicit consent of the instructor. However, such consent may be granted as a DSS (Disability Services for Students) accommodation; such material is only to be used only by the student in question and only during that semester.

If a student needs to register a concern about the suitability of course material within the context of a specific course, they should first contact the instructor of the course. If their concerns are not addressed, they may seek a meeting with the Chair of the Department of History. An instructor is considered the expert on content within their course and can determine the relevance of course material based on the approved syllabus and course description. Higher administrators such as the Ombuds, Deans, the Provost, or the President should not be consulted unless necessary after all other channels have been pursued, because they have less awareness and context for the particular nature of this course. Bypassing standard procedures will only delay resolution of your concern.

Instructors are also private citizens with their own personal affiliations, opinions, relationships, and hobbies. While these beliefs and identities may inform their perspectives on class material, just as they do students’ perspectives, instructors’ statements or actions outside of their work duties and responsibilities are not relevant to your educational experience. Students also have academic freedom to express their views and perspectives as relevant regarding class material. They also share the academic responsibility to remain on topic in class and to respect the views of others who may disagree with them. Students will be evaluated based on the quality of their work rather than the nature of their views. 

Within the broad standards of accountability established by the WMU-AAUP faculty contract, faculty members and professional instructors expect the fullest possible freedom in their research and in circulating and publishing their results. This freedom follows immediately from the university’s basic commitment to being discovery-driven, not censorship-limited. Restrictions on research and publication will be minimal and unobtrusive, focusing on accuracy and basic legality rather than on political, religious, or moral viewpoints.

Like all people, the faculty of the Department of History are also private citizens with their own personal affiliations, opinions, relationships, and hobbies. Opinions faculty express or actions they take outside of the classroom are generally irrelevant to their roles as instructors and researchers. Faculty of the Department of History within their areas of expertise have the freedom and responsibility to educate the wider community and to freely engage in public discourse. Beyond their areas of expertise, faculty members may participate as citizens in public forums and debates, including social media, without fear of institutional discipline or restraint. However, it is the responsibility of individual members of the department to make clear whenever possible that they are not acting or speaking for Western Michigan University or the Department of History. Such a proactive statement protects both the individual and the community. We also advise that faculty members not use departmental or university resources when speaking or writing as citizens rather than as WMU employees or subject experts. 

The WMU Department of History fully supports fundamental First Amendment rights, especially the freedom of speech. We also support principles of due process that guarantee fair treatment for everyone. We commit to transparency of procedures and process in any case regarding faculty speech or discourse. If you have concerns with the private speech of a member of the Department of History that you feel is not protected by the United States and Michigan  Constitutions, please contact that individual directly or, if that is insufficient, raise any concerns with the Chair of the Department.