Canadian Association of University Teachers

 
Home > Issues & Campaigns > Academic Freedom > York University gives faculty hiring veto to private think tank

Issues & Campaigns
York University gives faculty hiring veto to private think tank

CAUT has received a copy of an August 2011 agreement between York University and RIM co-founder Jim Balsillie’s private think tank, the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI). In that agreement, the University agrees that it will allow CIGI not only a voice in who should be hired in the program at York, but veto power over whom the University can consider for hiring.

Opposition to provisions in the agreement amongst law faculty led the University to change it from a program through its law school to one that will involve other faculties at York.

The York administration has released a “protocol” that it claims addresses the problem. CAUT sees the protocol as long on nice-sounding rhetoric and empty of content to restore integrity, academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

CAUT has condemned the agreement and opposes any collaboration that allows third-parties a voice in hiring or academic decision-making.

[York-CIGI agreement]

[York-CIGI protocol]