St. John's University is committed to academic freedom of inquiry. Since 1968 we have endorsed the "1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure." This commitment is specifically incorporated into the University Statutes and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the University and the AAUP-FA (CBA, Section 2.02).
St. John’s University believes that there is no compromise whatsoever between Catholic identity and freedom of inquiry. Similarly, these values insist upon academic integrity in all scholarly endeavors. The heritage of all Catholic universities coincides with the historical origin of the European University, which developed from the medieval cathedral schools. This heritage reflects a search for truth which is both a religious quest and a secular aim. These aims are the root of the disciplines of the liberal arts and sciences.