The April issue of the Canadian Association of University Teachers Bulletin offers up the following tidbits on the university workplace:
Police violence & suppression of free speech
A CAUT committee is investing the allegations of threats to freedom of expression, academic freedom, and inappropriate government practices at York U. Concerns about freedom of expression at York peaked after Toronto police violently ended a peaceful student demonstration, arresting five students. Click here for video of the January 20, 2005 police attack on York U students.
Attack on academic freedom
CAUT has called on McMaster U to reverse a policy that prohibits academic staff from expressing an opinion to the media that is unrelated to their area of “academic or professional expertise.” McMaster officials say that the policy is not meant to restrict academic freedom or freedom of speech. The CAUT report points out the obvious by saying that the effect of the limitation could be precisely that.
Institutional racism
In his commentary “Institutional Racism is Alive & Kicking” Les Back, a sociology professor at the University of London, discusses how white supremacy functions in higher education.
Back makes particular mention of the new book Institutional Racism in Higher Education. Back points out that making universities more democratic and inclusive is not just about developing a more multicultural curriculum or ensuring fair, respectful treatment of minorities. It also involves confronting the “whiteness” of the university and raising issues of ethics and responsibility in intellectual life.
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