Media Advisory – First Nations University Facing Censure

OTTAWA, May 6 – The First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) may be censured by the country’s academics unless the administration agrees to remedy gross violations of basic university governance principles, academic freedom, and staff rights. Delegates to the Canadian Association of University Teachers’ (CAUT) Council meeting in Ottawa this past weekend overwhelmingly supported a resolution to censure FNUniv in November if satisfactory steps are not taken to improve governance, academic freedom, and respect for collective bargaining.

“Censure is an extremely serious action that is very rarely used,” said CAUT executive director James L. Turk. “But FNUniv has violated the most fundamental traditions of university governance, disregarded negotiated agreements and threatened academic freedom that we must do everything in our power to remedy the situation.”

FNUniv was plunged into crisis three years ago when several administrators were dismissed, with many other administrators, faculty and professional staff later resigning over alleged political interference in the institution. Violations of academic freedom followed and the administration has refused to implement a collective agreement reached with staff last year.

If censured, FNUniv would face serious difficulties in attracting and retaining staff and in hosting academic conferences.

“Censure means that the academic community in Canada and abroad will be asked not to accept appointments at a censured institution,” Turk explains. “They will also be encouraged not to accept invitations to speak or participate in academic conferences there and not to accept any distinction or honour that may be offered by that institution.”

Censure was last imposed on Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1979.

CAUT is the national voice of more than 60,000 academic and general staff at colleges and universities across Canada.

For further information: James Turk, Executive Director, (613) 820-2270, (613) 277-0488 (cell)