Professors petition CAUT
On January 24, a petition was posted online by Dr. Paul Allen of Concordia University speaking against the “attacks” and “bullying” the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) practices towards religious institutions such as Trinity Western University.
Photo: Trinity Western University
In an interview with Mars’ Hill, James Turk, executive director of the CAUT, commented he thinks it has been blown out of proportion. “What we’re doing is not in any way trying to threaten the future of the university.” He explained that the findings of the CAUT investigation did not articulate “anything about the university that they’re not saying openly about themselves.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Allen, who initiated the petition, stated in an interview with CBC’s “The Current” that he believes academic freedom is first rooted in autonomy of the institution, meaning that TWU and other institutions reserve the right to posture themselves as a faith based institution. He continued by saying “we are at the top of a very slippery-slope” regarding potential discrediting and “the complete sidelining” of religious institutions.
In 2008, the CAUT commissioned an investigation into Trinity Western University regarding violations of academic freedom as TWU has “an ideologically or religiously homogeneous academic staff.” The investigation led ultimately to a report, in October 2009, and other Christian institutions across Canada being investigated.
Investigations have now been conducted on several other religious institutions including the Canadian Mennonite University, Crandall University, and Redeemer University College. And ensuing coverage by media outlets such as CBC, the National Post, and McLean’s, has stirred up a debate that TWU saw back in 2009.
The petition, which is hosted on a BlogSpot page, had 279 signatories as of press time. The petition states: “We, the undersigned faculty members in private or public colleges and universities in Canada, reject the invasive and unwarranted investigation by the [CAUT] of supposed infringements of academic freedom at post-secondary institutions possessing a religious or faith-based mandate.”
Turk responded to Allen’s petition sharing the view of the CAUT is that a religiously homogenous institution is a disadvantage in regards to academic freedom, which is the underlying message of any reports and investigation. He also recognizes that religiously based institutions would view that as an advantage, but does not believe any investigations or statements were an “attack” on the institutions.
Turk maintains, “This is not about espousing secularism as opposed to Christianity,” and argues that the CAUT would raise concerns over any academic institution that promotes homogeneity in values.
TWU President Jonathan Raymond responded to the CAUT in a statement in December 2009 saying, “It appears that CAUT failed to take into account evidence that was contrary to its conclusions.” And TWU professors have also been quick to respond with 20 faculty members having signed the petition thus far.
One signatory, the Chair of the English Department, Holly Faith Nelson told Mars’ Hill, “I signed the petition because I believe it is essential that all universities in Canada are extended the same rights and freedoms.”
For the time being it seems each party has agreed to respectfully disagree, as Turk told CBC, “we’re not questioning the right of these institutions to exist” and thus TWU moves forward remaining openly a Christian institution.
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