CAUT Council Motion

November 2015

On Saturday November 28, 2015 the following motion was passed unanimously at the 79th Council Meeting of the Canadian Association of University Teachers in Ottawa, Ontario:

Whereas Carleton University has repeatedly shown disregard for the democratic functioning of the institution;

Whereas the Board of Governors has made significant changes to its Statement of General Duties, Fiduciary Responsibilities and Conflict of Interest for Board Members which demand an unprecedented level of secrecy from representatives that flies in the face of collegial governance, transparency and academic freedom;

Whereas the Board of Governors, through its Chair, has repeatedly threatened a democratically elected faculty representative with removal for speaking publically about open session activities of the Board;

Whereas members of the Carleton community are no longer welcome to attend Board of Governors meetings in person and now must watch a live stream in a room across campus;

That CAUT Council condemn the actions of the Carleton University Board of Governors.

Further, that CAUT Council call on Carleton University to commit to fair, open and transparent governance that respects the principles of collegial governance and academic freedom.

Further, that this matter be referred to the CAUT Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee to initiate the procedures leading to censure.