Providence University College, located south of Winnipeg in Otterburne, Manitoba, has been added to CAUT’s list of institutions that have a faith or ideological test as a condition of employment.
The action follows an inquiry by an ad hoc committee created last year under CAUT’s Procedures in Academic Freedom Cases Involving Allegations of Requirements of an Ideological or Faith Test as a Condition of Employment.
The inquiry, conducted by Robert Chernomas of the University of Manitoba and University of British Columbia professor emeritus William Bruneau, concluded that based on a review of the institution’s policies and practices, “it is clear that Providence does have a faith test.”
“When someone is hired as an employee…they agree to live according to the Providence Covenant of Community Life for the duration of said engagement,” said the committee’s
report. The Covenant stipulates an “understanding that Jesus Christ is sovereign over every aspect of corporate and individual life,” and outlines that “the institution reserves the right to impose disciplinary actions in the case of failure to uphold…the Covenant of Community Life.”
“This is not about a university having a religious mission,” said CAUT executive director James Turk. “It is about requiring that academic staff conform to a particular religious belief if they want to be hired or retain their jobs.”
CAUT has offered to post comment from the institution’s administrators on the report, should they wish to submit one.