CAUT | ACPPU
Canadian Association of University Teachers
| Redeemer added to faith test list |
| (Wednesday, March 16, 2011)
- Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario, has been added to CAUT’s list of universities and colleges that have a faith or ideological test as a condition of employment. The action follows the report of an ad hoc investigatory 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 was conducted by professors Paul Handford of the University of Western Ontario and Allan Manson of Queen’s University. The committee concluded, based on its review of university documents and correspondence with the president that “Redeemer University College explicitly employs a faith test in initial appointments to, and progression in, academic positions.” “Redeemer is mandated by its Objects, Statement of Basis and Principles, and By-Laws to establish ‘a hiring process that is open and competitive and, at all times, respects the Objects and Statement of Basis and Principles of Redeemer University College, including requiring a personal faith in Jesus Christ, active participation in the church and Christian community, subscription to the Objects and Statement of Basis and Principles ….. appropriate understanding of a Reformed Christian perspective as related to employment responsibilities, and agreement and conformity with Board approved policies for employee conduct.’ When applying for a faculty position, the applicant must submit a ‘one-page or two-page statement describing their own faith commitment and how it shapes their academic work.’” In a letter to the committee, the President of Redeemer stated that “Redeemer does indeed seek to hire faculty who share Redeemer's faith commitments and mission as a Christian university.” He went on to write that “while we affirm the freedom of individual faculty to pursue knowledge and understanding in their academic work, we also affirm the communal freedom of organizations and institutions to pursue their distinctive academic missions and projects.” “This is not about whether a university has religious mission,” said CAUT executive director James Turk. “The majority of religiously-affiliated universities in Canada do not impose a faith test. Our concern is when a university requires that faculty conform to a particular religious belief and religious practice if they want to be hired and to retain their jobs.” |
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