New CAUT Policies

CAUT Council has approved new policy statements on academic freedom, appointment procedures, private funding involvement, and guidelines for the appointment and review of university chief librarians and other library administrators outside the bargaining unit. Complete texts of policy statements are available at www.caut.ca/english/about/policy/general.asp.

Academic Freedom

The policy on academic freedom asserts that CAUT is dedicated to the promotion and protection of academic freedom. The policy states that "the common good of society depends upon the search for knowledge and truth and its free expression. Academic freedom is essential for these purposes and academic staff are entitled to the exercise of academic freedom." The main points for faculty members include the right to freedom of teaching and discussion, freedom in carrying out research and disseminating results, freedom in producing and performing creative works, freedom to engage in service to the institution and the community, freedom to express freely opinions about the institution, its administration or the system in which they work, freedom from institutional censorship and freedom to participate in professional or representative academic bodies. The policy calls for the right of all academic staff "to fulfil their functions without discrimination of any kind and without fear of repression by the state or any other source."

Appointment Procedures

The purpose of the policy on appointment procedures is to provide a framework for the hiring process at academic institutions. All institutional hiring should include an effective advertising strategy and a fair and transparent assessment of candidates. The policy calls for advertising that is consistent with relevant clauses in the collective agreement or academic staff handbook, including employment equity policies, and adding "all reasonable effort should be made to ensure that advertising reaches all potential applicants." The policy specifically addresses requirements for evaluating, recommending and interviewing candidates, and features procedures for the administrative review process. In addition, the provisions detail the application of the recently revised Human Resources Development Canada rules regarding hiring of non-Canadians and permanent residents.

Private Donations

After a series of contentious corporate donations to universities over the last five years, Council adopted a policy statement on "Guidelines for Acceptance of Private Donations" at its May meeting. The document lists seven criteria that should be met before a university accepts a donation. These include respect for existing collective agreements, protection of educational integrity, public accountability, ethical record of the donor, equity and inclusiveness, and respect for institutional priorities. "This is a very important initiative that we hope will be helpful to every post-secondary institution in Canada," said James Turk, executive director of CAUT. "With cuts in public funding, universities are increasingly aggressive in soliciting private donations. We cannot let the mission and integrity of our institutions be compromised by inappropriate donations." The guidelines stress that private donations "must, without exception, be open to public scrutiny so that both the academic community and the public can satisfy themselves that the arrangements do not compromise the educational integrity of the institution. Governing bodies should have a local mechanism in place to allow for full public transparency and accountability in an institution's dealings with all private funders."

Chief Librarians

In other action, Council approved a policy statement calling for broad consultation within the university on matters of appointment and review of the chief librarian. Under the policy, "the position of chief librarian is an administrative and academic position analogous to that of a dean of an academic faculty," and calls for "procedures for the appointment and review of chief librarians to be the same as those used in the university for appointments at that level." The policy sets out specific examples of qualifications for the position, and features guidelines on advertising, search committee composition, interview process and terms of appointment.


Position on Canada Research Chairs

At its spring 2003 meeting, CAUT Council passed the following motion:

That CAUT express its support for the submission made to the Canadian Human Rights Commission by the eight faculty asking for an investigation of systemic discrimination in the structure of the Canada Research Chairs program.


Resolution on Iraq

At its spring 2003 meeting, CAUT Council approved the following resolution:

Whereas in CAUT's Nov. 14 statement on the possibility of an Iraq war, we took the view that Canada must remain committed to a UN-based process in dealing with Iraq and that the consequences of the United States, or any other nation, taking military action independent of the United Nations could set a very dangerous precedent;

Whereas we noted that unilateral military action without the approval of the Security Council contravened the UN Charter;

Be it resolved that CAUT endorse the actions of the Canadian government and Prime Minister Jean Chrétien in taking a position not to have Canada participate in the war on Iraq, and in maintaining this position against enormous pressure. The war has had severe social, economic, cultural and educational consequences for Iraq as well as for the rest of the international community and increased international instability. We urge the Canadian government to continue to work within the parameters of the United Nations, in a manner consistent with international law, to secure a just and lasting peace in Iraq through diplomatic, economic and political efforts, a peace that recognizes the sovereignty of the Iraqi people and leads to the withdrawal of any occupying forces.