Point Loma Nazarene University has a long and cherished history of responsible academic freedom. The first formal adoption of an Academic Freedom Statement occurred in 1958. The principles of academic freedom which follow are applicable to all faculty members at the University. They are based on the conviction that a faculty member is the servant and minister of truth and, therefore, has the freedom to pursue the search for truth and its exposition. The intellectual growth of both faculty and student is dependent upon this freedom. Freedom to speak and act responsibly is the right of all members of the academic community.

• As a teacher, the instructor is free to teach and discuss in his/her classes any aspect of the subject being taught.
• As a scholar, the instructor is free to carry on research and to publish the results.
• As a faculty member, the instructor is free to speak as an authority in his/her own field of study.
• As a citizen, the instructor is free to speak in his/her capacity as a citizen without institutional censorship or discipline.

Freedom in any context carries with it corollary responsibilities. Responsible behavior is vital to the maintenance of academic freedom in the collegiate community. There is no true academic freedom without academic responsibility. The acceptance of responsibility is also an acceptance of the right of the Church of the Nazarene, which founded and continues to support and control Point Loma Nazarene University, to insist that the religious and denominational objectives of the University be carried out.

• As a teacher, the instructor has a responsibility to exercise discretion and good judgment in the presentation and discussion of classroom material.
• As a scholar, the instructor has a responsibility to give full attention to the adequate performance of his/her primary academic duties.
• As a faculty member, the instructor has a responsibility to avoid introducing into his/her teaching controversial matters that are unrelated to the subject.
• As a citizen, the instructor has a responsibility to convey clearly that opinions are one's own and not those of the University and to recognize that, as a member of an academic community, the public may judge his/her profession and institution by those utterances.

Finally, it is recognized that as a faculty member of Point Loma Nazarene University, a University with a strong denominational affiliation, the faculty member accepts the responsibility to support the articles of faith and ethical standards of personal behavior of the Church of the Nazarene as stated in the Articles of Incorporation of the University, the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene, and in the Faculty Handbook. This support is reaffirmed with the acceptance of each annual contract.