November 2009 Federal Plan Shortchanges Research Less than half of what the federal government says it’s investing in university and college research infrastructure is actually going to research-related projects, according to a CAUT analysis of the government’s spending announcements. ‘Obscene’ compensation an omen An article in the October 2009 issue of the CAUT Bulletin refers to the “obscene” compensation deal for the University of Calgary’s outgoing president who will retire in January 2010. While such compensation strikes many as excessive, it might not be unique in Canada. Academic freedom defence inconsistent Former CAUT president speaks of CAUT’s “mandate and role in defending colleagues whose (academic) freedom has been infringed” (Bulletin, October 2009). Academic freedom defence inconsistent: CAUT replies It is CAUT’s view that the academy is a place where we should encourage debate of controversial issues, not try to suppress them. Naive support for anti-Israel conference Dorit Naaman rightfully condemns the attempt by Jewish organizations to stifle debate in Canada on the future of Israel and Palestine, a debate that is lively in Israel, perhaps more so than here (Bulletin, October 2009). Naaman replies Raphaël Fischler argues that the York University conference should be seen “as part of a wider effort to deny Israel the right to exist as the homeland of the Jewish people.” As evidence he uses a quote included in this commentary. Trinity defended CAUT has a legitimate interest in the status of academic freedom at the university. TWU joined the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada in the early 80s. It was an important step in encouraging TWU’s commitment to intellectual freedom. Report Reveals Injustices to Mideast Academic Staff Education International and CAUT are about to release a report on the status of academic staff in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. EI is a global union federation and an advocate for the rights of academic staff. Rocher Speech Available Online In this title, the winner of CAUT’s 2009 Distinguished Academic Award says that academic staff associations must take responsibility for safeguarding the culture of truth. In the Massacre’s Wake Twenty years ago, 14 women died in the massacre at Montreal’s École Polytechnique' shooting spree. These women became symbols of injustice against women. Enlightening: Letters 1946-1960 University people have tried for centuries to explain to other people what they do. Until recently, one useful method was to write letters, sometimes to great people in need of “enlightenment.” This volume is a case in point. Students Paying More, Getting Less The economic downturn is driving enrolment up at Canadian universities at a time when funding for post-secondary education is being slashed and tuition fees are rising. Student Loses Appeal Bid in BC Courts British Columbia’s highest court has dismissed the appeal of a former University of B.C. graduate student in her long running $ million lawsuit against UBC and four faculty members. Mount Royal & Grant MacEwan Named as Universities Two Alberta colleges officially became universities in September. Mount Royal College in Calgary and Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton. CAUT Benefits Trust Ready to Roll The board of trustees of CAUT’s national benefits trust held their first meeting last month. During the two-day session, the members were briefed on their legal responsibilities. Western: Settlement at Eleventh Hour The determination and solidarity of librarians and archivists at the University of Western Ontario caused the university to modify its position to avoid a strike. Research Integrity Report Poses Hard Questions The Canadian Research Integrity Committee has released its long-awaited study on research oversight in Canada. The committee was formed in response to concerns over suspect research practices. Librarians Confront Threat to Profession Academic librarians from Canadian universities and colleges gathered in Ottawa last month for CAUT’s biennial conference for the profession. The focus of discussion was advancing the status of their profession and protecting the academic and intellectual freedom rights critical to their work. Socrates in the Boardroom Top architectural, legal and consultancy firms are invariably — and rightly — run by people with a first-class professional record, and not by outsiders claiming generic management or leadership skills. La plan de relance fédéral fait obstacle au secteur de la recherche académique Moins de la moitié des fonds que le gouvernement fédéral prétend investir dans l’infrastructure de recherche des universités et des collèges servent en fait à financer des projets de recherche, conclut l’ACPPU dans son analyse des dépenses annoncées dans le budget fédéral. 12