Academic freedom is essential to the integrity of intellectual inquiry and scholarly criticism, to the dissemination of knowledge and to the search for truth and wisdom.

PCOM affirms the vital role of diverse perspectives in helping students to develop their own knowledge and their ability to evaluate knowledge claims critically. The administration, faculty, staff and students share responsibility for fostering a climate that is favorable to the free exchange of ideas and the examination of conflicting ideas and interpretations when expressed professionally. Students have the right to a safe classroom environment in which they can explore controversial ideas in an atmosphere characterized by openness, tolerance and civility, and where they will be graded only on the intellectual merits of their work.