(Ottawa – December 12, 2019) The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) is expressing concern over the University of Montreal’s decision to choose a closed search process for its new president.

In a letter (in French only) to the Chancellor, CAUT President Brenda Austin-Smith notes that it is very disturbing that the short list could include candidates who will be kept secret from the University community. “It is also troubling to see that the Senate will not be consulted before establishing this short-list and that there will be no public forum for the community to question the potential candidates or for the candidates to present their program and vision,” writes Austin-Smith.

CAUT is calling on Chancellor Louis Roquet to revoke the decision so the Senate can be part of the process to short-list candidates, and to make the list of candidates publicly available. CAUT is also urging the University to organize a public forum with each candidate so that the University community can learn about each candidate’s vision for the future of the University of Montreal.

For more information, please contact:

Valérie Dufour, Director of Communications, CAUT, 613-293-1810 or dufour@caut.ca