Globe and Mail: University, academic reach settlement after six years
— Simon Fraser University has expressed its “sincere regret” to academic David Noble six years after a controversy over the university’s handling of the appointment of the J.S. Woodsworth chair in 2001.
Dr. Noble, a York University professor who is internationally recognized for groundbreaking work on the impact of technology on society, had the backing of faculty in SFU’s department of humanities. The expression of regret for mistakes that were made and the personal impact of the mistakes on Dr. Noble’s life was part of an out-of-court settlement announced yesterday.
The university acknowledged it made mistakes. However, the outcome may have been no different, even if the mistakes were not made, the university’s lawyers stated in a news release.
The Chronicle: Canadian University Settles With Professor Who Says His Views on Technology Cost Him an Appointment
Simon Fraser University has settled a lawsuit with David Noble, an outspoken professor who said he had been denied a humanities appointment at the British Columbia institution because of his strong criticism of the use of technology in academe.
The settlement completes a saga that started six years ago, when a Simon Fraser search committee nominated Mr. Noble, a professor of history at York University, in Ontario, to hold its J.S. Woodsworth Chair in the Humanities. Administrators at Simon Fraser blocked the appointment, arguing that Mr. Noble’s curriculum vitae was too short and his personal style too abrasive.
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