A large majority of the Radcliffe Student Council yesterday approved a Statement on Academic Freedom which stressed "academic competence and academic responsibility as the only criteria for the hiring and continued employment of instructors," and urged that their academic peers be the sole judges of this ability.

The six-count statement, drawn by a committee appointed by the Council, further asked that an instructor, beyond academic duties, have complete independence to speak, write, and do research.

It opposed "economic, social, and political pressures... applied (towards faculty members) for race, religion, political beliefs, or political activity."

The Council's report went on to affirms the student's right to hear all sides of the question and form her decision independent of outside pressures and influences.

Headed by Eleanor Smith '56, the group has been working towards acceptance of this statement since December.