For Immediate Release
Monday, October 27, 1997
An association representing 45,000 university and college professors in the United States has joined in the campaign to ensure academic freedom at the fledgling Technical University of British Columbia (TechBC), the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) and the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA/BC) announced today.
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has written to B.C. Education Minister Paul Ramsey expressing its "alarm" at the lack of guarantees for academic freedom and of an assured role for professors in academic decisions of the new institution. Mary Burgan, general secretary of the AAUP, warns that if TechBC were to proceed without such guarantees, "the Technical University of British Columbia would begin with a deficit of acceptance by other universities and university faculties in North America." She urges Ramsey to avoid this "grave error."
The AAUP is the keeper of the influential, and controversial, list of administrations of U.S. universities and colleges which have been censured for violation of the generally recognized principles of academic freedom and tenure endorsed by the AAUP, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, and more than 150 other professional and educational organizations.
"The support of our U.S. colleagues is gratifying," said Bill Bruneau, president of CAUT. "It demonstrates clearly that the government cannot simply call TechBC a university and expect it to be accepted by the academic community in Canada and internationally. A 'real' university embodies freedom of thought and respect for academic expertise."
In her letter, Burgan makes particular mention of the effect the lack of academic freedom will have on TechBC's future students.
"The freedom of scientific and technical faculty to pursue questions in their disciplines is an essential element of training for the next generation of scientists," writes Burgan. "The students at this new university must learn the value of unfettered questioning, if they are to contribute usefully in their chosen fields. "It would be most unfortunate to teach students, by example, to limit their curiosity and their investigations to a dogged pursuit of commercially acceptable results."
CAUT and CUFA/BC are optimistic that a solution can be achieved.
"All along we've said that there are ways to recognize the unique mission of TechBC while respecting the fundamental characteristics of a university," said Robert Clift, executive director of CUFA/BC. "We would prefer that the government and the administration of TechBC work with us now to achieve such a solution, rather than wait for the black cloud over TechBC to grow larger."
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.
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A copy of the AAUP letter can be obtained by contacting Robert Clift. It is also available on the world wide web at http://cufabc.harbour.sfu.ca/tubc/AAUP-October_17.html
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)