For Immediate Release
Thursday, October 16, 1997
University professors from across Canada have expressed their displeasure and opposition to the legislation establishing the Technical University of British Columbia (TechBC), the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA/BC) and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) announced today. The letters to Education Minister Paul Ramsey and to TechBC Board Chair Ron Dickson from dozens of university faculty associations and individual professors are in response to an international boycott launched by CAUT and CUFA/BC on July 28, 1997, the date the Technical University of British Columbia Act became law.
"From St. John's to Victoria, Canadian professors have told Ramsey and Dickson that they cannot call TechBC a university," said Bill Bruneau, CAUT president. "A 'real' university guarantees that professors will be free to conduct research without interference, and that they, with students, will have the major role in academic decisions. The TechBC legislation does neither."
This sentiment was also expressed last night by the Senate of the University of British Columbia. The Senate approved, with no opposition and a single abstention, the resolution: "That the UBC Senate deplore the creation of the Technical University of British Columbia without a governance structure that provides appropriate safeguards for academic freedom in teaching and research."
In his speech introducing the resolution, student senator Chris Gorman spoke on the behalf of the future students of TechBC. "I believe that we, student members of Senate, have been of value and have added something to the fabric of this university (UBC). I hold that it is self-evident that my colleagues at this new institution should enjoy the same privilege and opportunity."
Faculty associations and individual professors alike question the why TechBC strays from the form of governance which has served other universities so well.
"Universities have shown the ability to be flexible and to adapt to new technologies and disciplines, while at the same time having internal checks and balances that ensure quality and rigour," write Kate Lawson and Todd Whitcombe of the University of Northern British Columbia Faculty Association in their letter to Ramsey. "We believe that the students and faculty in the Fraser Valley and throughout the province deserve a real university, and thus urge you to revise your government's legislation accordingly."
Fred McCourt, of the University of Waterloo Faculty Association observes: "This institution (Waterloo) in Ontario does much of what you want TechBC to achieve in British Columbia, but it does it with proper protection of academic freedom and tenure. Of course, this could not have been achieved without very forward-looking governing bodies like our Senate and Board of Governors."
"I am writing to you on behalf of the faculty members and librarians at the University of Toronto to request that you immediately take steps to alter the structure of your institution to bring it up to the standards which are expected of any educational institution which purports to be a 'university'," writes William Graham of the University of Toronto Faculty Association.
"Our hope is that Ramsey and Dickson now realize that the boycott of TechBC is no idle threat," said Robert Clift, CUFA/BC executive director. "We would much rather be working with the government and with the TechBC board on ways to make TechBC a successful, 'real' university than fighting with them."
CAUT represents 25,000 university professors, professional librarians and other academic staff at universities across Canada. CUFA/BC represents 3,500 university professors, professional librarians, and other academic staff at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, and University of Northern British Columbia.
A detailed analysis of the legislation and related documents are available on the world wide web at http://cufabc.harbour.sfu.ca/tubc/index.html
- 30 -
For further information, please contact:
Bill Bruneau, President, Canadian Association of University Teachers,
(604) 224-3889 (Home), or (604) 822-5353 (Office)
Robert Clift, Executive Director, Confederation of University Faculty Associations of B.C.
(604) 291-5201 (Office), or (604) 817-1649 (Cell Phone)