Dr. Tuinman will of course have his own perspective on the CAUT Bulletin's coverage of the Law affair at Memorial, as do MUNFA and other parties involved. The background information MUNFA provided was factual, and in our view speaks for itself. However, we appreciate the opportunity to make a few additional comments in light of Dr. Tuinman's reaction.

How it can be "cost neutral" to place a senior colleague on leave at full salary, plus administrative stipend, for nearly two years, while incurring significant legal expenses in the process, simply escapes us. Were this a fully accurate representation, there might well be many volunteers for such an arrangement -- there were certainly a number of half-serious volunteers here, for a settlement of the sort reached with Dr. Law. While Dr. Tuinman did address the issue of pension vesting in his original (and final) offer to Law, eligibility for vesting was at that time conditional on a legislative change which was anticipated but had not occurred.

It seems of no particular value to argue the reasons why Dr. Tuinman is changing jobs at this time.

Tuinman's view as to the university status of the BC Open Learning Agency is not widely shared -- it lacks a senate and the protections provided by academic freedom and tenure. These matters are, we understand, the subject of active discussion within the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of BC. We are therefore greatly encouraged by Dr. Tuinman's assurance of his continuing commitment to the furthering of excellence in the Canadian university landscape, look forward to his productive achievements in this area, and wish him well in his new position.

Finally, we continue to appreciate the Bulletin's presentation of diverse perspectives on the university scene, among which, we are sure, its readers are able to differentiate for themselves.

JOHN C. BEAR
President, Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association