The Mount Royal University Faculty Association (MRFA) is grieving the dismissal of a tenured professor.

Dr. Frances Widdowson was terminated from the University in December.

Widdowson, who had been an associate professor at the University since 2008, in the economics, justice and policy studies department, has been the subject of controversy for several years related to her political views.

David Robinson, CAUT Executive Director, says that terminations of tenured professors are rare because the principle of tenure ensures that employers have to meet a higher bar of just cause for dismissal — essentially, gross negligence or misconduct.

“Tenure is the procedural safeguard for academic freedom by providing that academic staff cannot be fired for expressing their views outside their institution unless it violates the law, or the content demonstrates egregious professional incompetence.”

Robinson added that CAUT is working closely with the MRFA on the case.