On June 9, 1997, the British Columbia government introduced Bill 30 - 1997, Technical University of British Columbia Act into the legislature. The legislation places extraordinary powers in the hands of the, largely appointed, board of governors to decide the instructional and research policies and priorities of the institution. The Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA/BC) and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) were convinced that this legislation would lead to programs of questionable quality and credibility, and would severely restrict the academic freedom of the institution's faculty. Despite substantial lobbying, the government proceeded with the legislation unamended. Bill 30 received second reading approval on July 24, 1997, third reading approval on July 28, 1997, and Royal Assent on July 30, 1997.
CUFA/BC and CAUT advised the government that in the event the legislation passed third reading unamended, the organizations would initiate an international boycott campaign of the Technical University of British Columbia (TechBC). Central to this campaign were efforts to encourage academics not to apply for or accept academic appointments at the institution. Full details of the scope of the boycott can be found in the CAUT Executive Committee resolution of June 19, 1997.
The campaign gathered steam throughout the fall, garnering much attention in the media and in the international academic community. In December 1997, representatives of TechBC agreed to meet with CAUT and CUFA/BC representatives to discuss the boycott and what actions TechBC might be able to take which might lead to a lifting of the boycott. The discussions developed into formal negotiations, and on March 12, 1998 the parties reached a tentative agreement to end the boycott. This agreement received final approval from the TechBC Board of Governors on March 19, 1998.
As the result of this agreement, CUFA/BC has ended all boycott activities and the CAUT has suspended all boycott activities pending the formal lifting of the boycott at its Council meeting in May 1998.
Background documentation of the efforts to have the legislation amended, and of the subsequent boycott campaign is available via the links below.
Full Text of the Agreement
CAUT and CUFA/BC Joint Media Release - March 20, 1998