The University of North Carolina System’s Board of Governors unanimously approved a new, systemwide definition of academic freedom that includes explicit limits and examples of permissible and impermissible teaching. The policy protects faculty’s right to teach controversial ideas but adds language narrowing protection for content that lacks a pedagogical connection to courses. Faculty leaders and the AAUP criticized the move as overbroad and likely to chill classroom autonomy; system officials said the revisions aim to clarify expectations and balance faculty rights with institutional mission. The vote sets up potential disputes on campuses as faculty and administrators interpret the new benchmarks during curriculum review and grievance processes.