We would like to express our profound disappointment with the CAUT report on the removal of Ramesh Thakur as director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs, “Investigation Faults Waterloo & Laurier” (Bulletin, November 2010).

The report was biased and incomplete and did not fairly or adequately present the information made available to report author Len Findlay by the Balsillie school’s three partners — the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) — and by faculty members associated with the Balsillie school.

Academic freedom is foundational to the programming at the Balsillie school. It has not been compromised in any way at the school. There were absolutely no academic issues associated with the departure of the former director, who was removed from his administrative role while maintaining his academic position and rank at the University of Waterloo.

Faculty and administrators at Laurier and Waterloo have worked diligently to create an academic and research institution that is novel and world-class, and which works within the governance
structures of the universities while taking advantage of the partnership with CIGI.

The Balsillie School of International Affairs is an exceptional institution, staffed by superb faculty members and attracting top-flight graduate students. The school has a bright future. As the school enters its third year, we look forward to working together to support the administrative structures required to ensure the long-term success of an innovative and exciting institution.

Ken Coates
Dean of Arts
University of Waterloo

Deborah MacLatchy
Vice-President Academic & Provost
Wilfrid Laurier University


Len Findlay replies

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