1.01 The parties recognize that the goals of the University are to attain the highest possible standards of academic excellence in the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge, to be achieved principally through teaching, research and community service, and to maintain a strong tradition of both full-time and part-time higher education and to preserve a high standard of education. All other functions at Concordia University exist to support this central academic purpose.
The parties agree to cooperate in the promotion of teaching and research and to encourage a climate of freedom of speech and enquiry, responsibility and mutual respect in the pursuit of these goals. A university environment characterized by freedom of speech and enquiry is required for the faculty members and librarians to fulfill their responsibilities. Freedom of speech guarantees the open exchange of ideas; freedom of enquiry guarantees the open investigation and interpretation of ideas.
Within the unique university context, the most crucial right is academic freedom. We affirm that this right is meaningless unless it entails the right to raise probing questions and challenges to the beliefs of society at large.
Academic freedom also implies that the parties agree to respect the right of all members of the academic community to exercise their academic freedom.
1.02 It is the purpose of this Collective Agreement to foster and maintain harmonious relations within the university community and to provide an amicable and effective means for settling differences which may arise from time to time between the Employer and members of the bargaining unit.