CAUT weighs in

Of course, since the C stands for Canadian...

University Autonomy threatened at Memorial

(July 30, 2008) The government of Newfoundland and Labrador must respect the Memorial University of Newfoundland’s autonomy and steer clear of interfering in the selection of a new president, says the Canadian Association of University Teachers.

The province’s education minister, Joan Burke, has admitted she interviewed and then rejected two of the candidates recommended by the search committee set up to find a new university president.

“This is an unprecedented and serious violation of university autonomy,” says CAUT president Penni Stewart. “Universities must be free from political interference or any outside influence.”

While the government of Newfoundland and Labrador has long had the final say in approving or rejecting the appointment of MUN’s president, until now it’s been a formality.

Ross Klein, president-elect of the Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association says the minister’s move sends a chilling message to academics.

“Does this mean that if the government doesn’t like a faculty member’s research or politics, they would intervene?” asked Klein.