Academic Freedom (CAF)

Duties

The Committee on Academic Freedom (CAF) reviews and makes recommendations with respect to any University-related issues that may affect the academic freedom of the University Community. Academic Freedom includes, but is not necessarily limited to, free inquiry and exchange of ideas, the rights to present material relevant to a course of instruction, to publish or disseminate controversial material or information and to perform research in academic areas. CAF maintains liaison with the University Committee on Academic Freedom (UCAF) and with the Protest Oversight Group (POG).
 
For a complete description of CAF’s duties please see the committee’s bylaws.
 

AY 25-26 Meeting Schedule, Agendas, and Minutes


2026-2027 Membership

  • Chih-Chun Chien, Chair, School of Natural Sciences, UCAF Representative

  • Sholeh Quinn, Vice Chair, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts

  • Estee Beck, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts

  • Sean Malloy, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts

 

Ex-Officio (non-voting):

  • Courtenay Monroe, Senate Chair, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts­­­­­

  • Mike Beman, Senate Vice Chair, School of Natural Sciences

  • Tom Hansford, Vice Provost for Academic Personnel (or alternate)

  • TBD, Graduate Student Representative

Corresponding System Committee:


Former Members


Annual Reports


Contact:

Melanie Snyder

Senate Senior Analyst

msnyder10@ucmerced.edu

 

Fatima Paul

Executive Director

Phone: 209-756-6965

fpaul@ucmerced.edu