Campus Copyright as Censorship

Steve Harris of Saint Louis University writes at Academe Blog about his university's threats to sue him if he surveyed faculty, on the bizarre grounds that it would violate the university's copyright over its own survey. This is both censorship and lunacy, since nothing about SLU AAUP's proposed questions would have violated any copyright law. Indeed, since the purpose of the survey was to ask the questions that SLU didn't, no one could imagine that the AAUP chapter was copying the administration. Unfortunately, the threat of litigation works, and the AAUP chapter decided to only ask one question.

Here's a list of the original questions from the SLU survey. Nothing about this survey is particularly original, useful, or valuable.

SLU's Climate Committee Survey

1) Faculty members have adequate opportunities to communicate their concerns to the University.

2) Faculty representatives to the senate, institutional committees, and other representative bodies keep their constituents informed.

3) Faculty representatives to the senate, institutional committees, and other representative bodies solicit constituents' views whenever appropriate.

4) The University regularly communicates with faculty members regarding important University matters.

5) Faculty members are made aware of imminent changes proposed by the University affecting academic matters.

6) Faculty members have access to the information they need to make knowledgeable decisions on academic matters.

7) The University responds to faculty concerns.

8) The University communicates its institutional priorities clearly to the faculty.

9) What are your perceptions of communication from the University?

10) The University appreciates the contributions of faculty.

11) The University fosters an atmosphere of trust.

12) A collaborative decision-making environment exists between the faculty and the University on academic matters.

13) The Mission of the University is reflected in the day-to-day operations of the University.

14) The President is effective in leading the University.

15) Across the University, morale is high.

16) Staff and faculty work together effectively.

17) Faculty and students have effective working relationships.

18) I would recommend Saint Louis University as a good place to work.

19) What are your perceptions of the University climate?

20) The faculty has meaningful input regarding important matters related to faculty.

21) The faculty is able to express dissenting views on University matters without fear of reprisal.

22) In general, the University acts on institution-wide faculty concerns.

23) Faculty members have the resources they need to further their teaching and research endeavors.

24) The University's organizational/management structure fosters participation in academic decision making.

25) The faculty has an influential role in establishing the University's priorities.

26) What are your perceptions of faculty being heard at the University?

27) On which campus do you work primarily?

28) How long have you been employed by Saint Louis University?