SAFS calls on President Timmons to rescind order against protest posters

On December 6th, 2021, the Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship sent a letter to Memorial University of Newfoundland President Vianne Timmons regarding her order that protest posters be taken down.

See the letter below:

6 December 2021

Vianne Timmons, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7

Dear President Timmons,

I am writing as president of the Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship (SAFS), an organization of university faculty members and others dedicated to the defense of academic freedom and the merit principle in higher education. (For further information, see our website at http://www.safs.ca.)

SAFS is concerned that in removing the posters calling for your resignation, you violated the freedom of expression of the student who posted them as well as chilled expression at Memorial University of Newfoundland generally.

The posters are not, as you described, a personal attack, but rather a protest against your leadership. Students at universities should expect to be free to criticize their institution and its leaders and to protest whatever they believe needs to change. Calling for a university president to resign or to be fired ought to be protected expression.

By having the posters removed, you have signalled to the academic community at MUN, both students and professors, that they may not take certain stances with regard to the university without fear of being censored or sanctioned. Critical discussion of important matters cannot but suffer because of your actions.

Freedom of expression at a university must include the freedom to express one’s opinion about the institution. Otherwise, problems will not be solved or even identified and whatever consensus on policy might appear will be no more than surface deep. As well, students need freedom in order to develop their own values and views both as intellectuals and as citizens.

That the Respectful Workplace Policy at MUN could be abused in this way should frighten members of the MUN community. The student responsible for the posters, Matthew Barter, has not in fact violated the policy or harassed you, but if you do believe you are under personal attack or being harassed, you should file a formal complaint rather than take action yourself.

Otherwise, you are abusing fair process by assuming the roles of both complainant and adjudicator.

SAFS calls on you to rescind your order against the posters and to state unequivocally that you endorse freedom of expression on campus for MUN students, including the freedom to criticize the university and to propose changes.

We respectfully request that you respond to our letter. With your permission, we will post your response along with this letter on our website.

Sincerely,

Mark Mercer, PhD
President, Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship (SAFS)
1801 Chestnut Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3T7
president@safs.ca
http://www.safs.ca/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/safs.ca/

Professor of Philosophy
Halifax, Nova Scotia
sergechestnut@gmail.com
http://professormarkmercer.ca/

Cc. Florentine Strzelczyk, PhD, Provost & Vice-President (Academic)
Delores V. Mullings, PhD, Vice-provost, equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism
Donna Hardy Cox, PhD, Associate Vice-President (Academic) Students
Sean Cadigan, PhD, Associate Vice-President (Academic)
Josh Lepawsky, PhD, President, Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association
Matthew Barter, Student

See image format of letter below:

safs-letter-to-vianne-timmons-re-ordering-posters-down Download

Matt Barter is a fourth-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.

Protest: Pink Slip vs. Stop Sign

The first picture is from May 10th, 2017, and the second picture is from December 2nd, 2021.

2017: Students stood outside the doors to enter a university Senate meeting with a pink slip titled “Gary Kachanoski Pink Slip.” As President Kachanoski walked towards the door, the Canadian Federation of NL Chairperson blocked him, stood in front of him, and told him why he was symbolically fired. Those students were not impeded or penalized, nor did they receive any communication from the university about the action.

2021: A student protester taped a sign to the podium that said “Stop Vianne: No to tuition hikes and out of control spending” and stood off to the side during the president’s speech. The university bans them from campus.

Does this seem fair?

For the record, I was involved in the pink slip protest action at the time, and it is my picture.

Students present university president with pink slip on May 10th, 2017.

Student holds up protest sign during the president’s speech on December 2nd, 2021.

MUN student take to washroom stall to ask administration to stop censoring criticism

*An illustration in a washroom stall at MUN.*

A Student at Memorial University of Newfoundland have taken to a washroom stall to ask the university to stop censoring critism

The drawing in the washroom stall includes the statement, “Hey MUN! STOP CENSORING our criticism!”

A Proposal for Vianne Timmons

A hallmark of good leadership is the willingness to debate rather than silence critics. Although I have been a critic of hers and written extensively about the university on this website, MUN President Vianne Timmons has never actually offered me the opportunity to talk with her or her executives.

A university president should promote dialogue and free debate. On the contrary, Timmons has ordered my posters about her leadership taken down and now banned me from campus for silently protesting her during a speech.

I am willing to sit down with Timmons for a conversation and keep an open mind. We could both record it and publish it later in written or video form. I am willing to argue for my causes, beliefs, and actions. Is Timmons willing to do the same? If Timmons believes she is a good leader, I am sure she will accept this proposal.

Students who disagree with Timmons should have an opportunity to sit down and have a chat with her about her decisions for the future of the university, such as tuition increases and administrative spending.

My humble proposal is that we have a dialogue about the future of the university and civil rights on campus. If Vianne is so certain of her decisions, this is what she would have offered in the first place rather than chosen to censor my criticism and ban me from campus.

On Twitter, Vianne’s profile picture has the words “real talk.” Does she really want “real talk” or is that just something she thought would sound good on Twitter?

I would have sent this invitation directly to Vianne at her email address or called her office. It seems to me that would be well within the rights of any student. However, due to the no-contact order that came with my ban from campus, I am posting an invitation to Timmons on this webpage and hoping she will see it, or someone will show it to her.

Vianne, will you choose the path of the enlightenment and dialogue or opt for authoritarianism and censorship? The choice is yours. Feel free to reach out to me at your earliest convenience.

Banning a student for protest is another black mark against MUN, says St. John’s lawyer

St. John’s lawyer Bob Buckingham weighs in on Memorial University of Newfoundland’s action to ban a student for peacefully protesting the senior administration.

Buckingham states, “This is one of the most disturbing pieces of news I have seen out of a university campus in all my years. This is an embarrassment to [the] whole community, academic and public. Whoever made such a horrendous decision should be forced to resign… The last terrible decision, not of this nature as I recall, was giving the honorary degree to PM Chrétien after he called in the RCMP against the demonstrators at the Summit at UBC. I stopped my contributions to MUN after that decision. Does Timmons not know why it is called Memorial and what freedoms it is supposed to represent and uphold? Another black mark against MUNL.”

MUN Bans Student for Challenging Senior Administration

Freedom Of Expression Is Officially Dead at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Yesterday, I received email correspondence about “Interim Measures” from the secretary for Jennifer Browne, the Director of Student Life at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

In the email, Ms. Browne stated that she had recently been “informed of concerning behaviours that you had demonstrated on December 2nd, 2021, during Dr. Timmons’ media briefing at The Landing on St. John’s campus.” Moreover, she wrote, “This is to inform you that a complaint will be laid against you in accordance with the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct.”

Browne continued, “It is alleged that you have demonstrated behaviours that have been interpreted as harassing and intimidating towards Dr. Timmons and her staff both at yesterday’s media briefing, and recent public events in which Dr. Timmons has made public appearances. Given the impact of these behaviours on Dr. Timmons, interim measures are being imposed as per section 6b of the Student Code of Conduct policy.”

The conditions include a ban from all St. John’s campuses except for classes, exams, or medical services, and no further contact, direct or indirect, with Dr. Timmons and/or her Executive members.

I did not do anything wrong. I will vehemently defend myself with every resource at my disposal. Memorial University must cease and desist this abusive behaviour. I ask that they reverse this ban immediately and issue an apology.

Dr. Timmons and other administrators have been making similar allegations against me for some time now, as evidenced by her statement to CBC that my posters calling for her resignation violates the Respectful Workplace Policy. It is clear they have now decided to weaponize the Student Code of Conduct.

Not only is the administration targeting me, but their actions are also an assault on democracy and freedom of expression. This decision signals a turn towards censorship and an erosion of the right to peaceful protest. I am only the first victim. These dark impulses will have far more serious and widespread consequences to others if these actions are not stopped.

In a previous letter to Dr. Timmons on October 7th, 2021, regarding the posters MUN had ordered taken down, the MUN Faculty Association (MUNFA) declared that Dr. Timmons’s reference to the Respectful Workplace Policy “could have a chilling effort on free expression and Academic Freedom at Memorial University.” They continued, “Rather than a personal attack, we understand those posters as a form of protest directed at the public role of the university president, rather than you as an individual person.” MUNFA also acknowledged those posters did not “constitute harassment, particularly in a university context.”

MUNFA also stated that Timmons’s comments to the media were directed at all members of the university community and served as a statement that criticism directed at members of the senior administration is illegitimate. They also claimed that Timmons’s removal of the posters suggests her willingness to censor criticism and protest directed towards the public representative role of the university president and other members of the senior administration.

By the recent actions of MUN administration, we have now seen that they are willing to heavy-handedly censor protest.

It is no coincidence that they sent the email at 4:55pm on a Friday evening, only one hour before the evening news broadcasts in the province and after the newspaper had already gone to print.

Dr. Timmons is not someone whom I encounter often on campus. In fact, have been in her presence twice on campus. The first time at a public conference on September 15th, 2021, when I asked her questions during the question period after her presentation, as was my right to do. And the second time on December 2nd, 2021, when I held up a protest poster while standing still as Timmons spoke at a public press conference. I did not prevent Timmons from speaking and was never asked to leave.

The Student Code of Conduct includes a section that reads “The University recognizes academic freedom and the right to free speech, creative expression and peaceful protest, acknowledging that the common good of society depends upon the search for knowledge and its free expression.

The following are not considered ‘disruption’ in accordance with this section:

• Peaceful assemblies, demonstrations, picketing or other activity outside a class or meeting that does not substantially interfere with the communication inside, or impede access to the meeting or class.

• Silent or symbolic protest.”

Timmons is abusing her position as president of the university and using her authority in an attempt to protect her $500K salary job against criticism of her performance and calls for her resignation.

On September 16th, 2021, on a segment of CBC’s On The Go, host Ted Blades asked Timmons about the poster situation: “I can’t help but wonder whether some of this is personal on another level because I know that back in February of 2020, Matt Barter got a lot of media attention when he was complaining quite loudly about your compensation package.”

On my website, I have written over one hundred articles about Memorial University. Most of what I do is provide information like the article on how Jennifer Browne and the Associate Vice President Academic (Students) Donna Hardy-Cox spent over $184K on office renovations, how the administration spent over $103K on an “Economic Impact Assessment,” a tour of MUN’s infrastructure woes (over 300 pictures), issues with size inclusivity on campus, and the limited supply of heat and water in residence.

On October 28th, 2021, I published a poll on my website that showed students overwhelmingly disapprove of President Timmons’s leadership. Of 653 participants, 87% of students responded that they do not support Timmons.

Finally, banning me from campus is an attack on journalism and the free press. Memorial University is preventing me from doing my job as a journalist and an activist. I have spent hundreds of hours collecting information and publishing it for the university community and the general public.

My experience with my fellow students shows me the general public support the work I do. I was recently served by a fellow student at a food place at MUN who told me that they appreciate the work that I do for the university community. I have had many students stop me in the hallways on MUN Campus and express the same feeling of appreciation. They might not know how much their words mean to me, but they are the reason why I keep fighting for a better university for all.

MUN monitors impact of new COVID-19 Omicron variant

On December 3rd, 2021, Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) released a memo titled “Monitoring impacts of Omicron variant.” MUN stated that they are monitoring the emergence of the new COVID-19 variant known as the Omicron variant and that information on it is evolving.

A professor of virology and immunology in MUN’s Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Rod Russell, continues to support, inform and share guidance with the university to help with the planning process.

Dr. Russell states, “This variant has mutations in common with all four previous variants of concern, and this could put us in a situation where we have a virus that can spread faster than Delta, but may also be less manageable by currently-approved vaccines,”

However, Dr. Russell states the vaccines will provide some immunity against any variant despite potential immune evasion.

MUN has the following information for members of the university community:

Impact of Omicron

Information is still limited and more is anticipated in the coming days and weeks, however, as Dr. Russell stated, current vaccines remain critical to reducing severe disease. Additionally, it is important to follow COVID-19 safety controls such as masks, hygiene practices, staying home when sick, and physical distancing where possible. Now that vaccines are available for children who are 5-11 years old, it is important to get them vaccinated as soon as possible. This supports the health and well-being of our community.

Holiday travel

As the holiday season approaches many of us will be travelling. As countries around the world are putting travel and other restrictions in place in light of this new variant, it is important people are aware restrictions can be implemented with little or no advance warning and anyone planning to travel should be prepared for the risk of onward travel being delayed or cancelled. Ensure you reconfirm your itinerary, remain flexible, have appropriate contingency plans in place and check the latest restrictions for your destination and monitor Canadian and provincial regulations.

Further requirements to quarantine or test may also be implemented by officials, regardless of vaccination status with the emergence of Omicron. If you are travelling for Memorial-related activities, please feel free to reach out to the OCRO and who can provide you the latest advice, resources and support to ensure you have the most current information.

Winter 2022 planning

We are monitoring the situation, and will follow the advice of our partners at Public Health. Memorial is prepared if the situation changes and the risk level increases. The university is optimistic winter 2022 will continue as planned based on the low provincial epidemiology and very high vaccination rates. We may see provincial and federal changes in requirements for isolation and testing for entering the province and/or country.

Minister of Immigration announces new supports for international graduates

On December 2^nd, 2021, the Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, Gerry Byrne, attended a press conference at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) to announce new supports for post-secondary international graduates seeking employment. “Successfully gaining employment in the province enables international graduates to then apply to immigrate permanently,” the news release states.

The news release then states that Medical Care Plan (MCP) coverage, which is already available to international students during their studies, will be extended by 90 days post-graduation. “This policy change makes this medical care coverage among ‘best-in-class’ in Canada. MCP for international students is now aligned with the length of study permits and will provide coverage while graduates seek career opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

They provided additional information on MCP for International Students in “the backgrounder” at the end of the news release.

In addition to extending MCP coverage, Minister Byrne announced $66,847.00 in funding to go towards the Retaining Global Talent project to support international graduates find employment in the province and prepare for the transition to work after graduation. The funding includes the creation of a Postgraduate Retention Coordinator position with the MUN School of Graduate Studies.

Byrne also announced $26,612.76 in funding to expand the award-winning Professional Skills Development Program to include practical work experience for students. “Students who gain local labour market experience during their studies are better equipped to expand their professional connections, leading to improved employment prospects after graduation. This expansion complements other elements of the program, including resume and cover letter workshops, job search and networking exercises, interview preparation and immigration advising,” states the news release.

An additional $27,278.00 was announced to fund the Supporting Newcomers in Newfoundland and Labrador project. “The project will see intercultural training sessions delivered to audiences including the university community, employers and sector groups. The goal is to provide training that will foster a better understanding and appreciation of international students and their unique cultures, leading to improved outcomes for students while they study and after they graduate,” states the release.

The news release states that the newly announced supports build on an already comprehensive set of immigration initiatives that the government launched in the last year in support of their target of welcoming 5,100 permanent residents annually by 2026.

The Government initiatives include:

“Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador: a new immigration option for highly educated, highly skilled newcomers with specialized experience in key sectors where demand has outpaced local training and recruitment;

Creating Pathways Job Matching to match employers with full-time, year-round job vacancies with newcomers, including international graduates to secure full time employment in Newfoundland and Labrador;

Investing $3 million to help post-secondary students overcome challenges of securing work terms that were caused by the COVID-19 pandemic;

$1 million for additional immigration staff, including personnel to assist employers with immigration, and to help newcomers navigate the immigration system. Staff will also enhance employee capacity in settlement and integration, and diversity, equity and inclusion;

$2 million for promotional and marketing campaigns focused on attracting prospective residents from other parts of Canada and around the world;

More than $2 million over the next two years for a new online application system to make it easier and faster for newcomers to Canada to settle in Newfoundland and Labrador. The system will be user-centered, with enhanced functionality for applicants and employers;

$100,000 to assist newcomers to access to English language testing at Grenfell Campus; and

$357,000 for additional English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors in the K-12 school system, building on investment in additional ESL hires from the two previous budgets;”

The news release ends with a quote from Byrne: “By adopting an all-of-government approach to immigration and increasing our collaboration with organizations and post-secondary institutions such as Memorial University, we are aligning and redoubling efforts across departments and educational institutions, as illustrated today with these supports to help retain highly educated newcomers. There’s a lot of work to do to get to our goal and welcome 5,100 newcomers a year by 2026, and we plan to quickly get on with it.”

The backgrounder on Medical Care Plan for International Students is below:

“The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan (MCP) is a comprehensive plan of medical care insurance designed to cover the cost of medical insured services for residents of the province.

With today’s announcement, Newfoundland and Labrador offers best-in class coverage for international students in Canada by including covering the 90 day post-graduation period.

In order for International Students to qualify for MCP, they must:

Provide proof of active full time enrolment in an approved Newfoundland and Labrador post-secondary educational institute;

In their first year of study, hold a study permit for at least 365 days issued from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for an approved Newfoundland and Labrador post-secondary educational institute. Dependents must hold valid documentation from IRCC for at least 365 days;

Provided the student has met eligibility criteria in the previous year, in the final year of study, MCP coverage will now be provided 90 days post graduation to align with IRCC study permit documentation; and

Intend to reside in the province for a minimum of 365 days.

Coverage for the international students and their dependant(s) begins on the first day of studies and ends once studies are complete or above requirements are no longer met. Students continue to receive MCP during scheduled breaks between semesters, provided their time outside the province is less than six months. Students whose MCP may expire during their break period should contact MCP to apply for Out of Province/Country coverage.

This is being reviewed to determine if changes are required to better suit the needs of those who study in the province and decide to continue to reside in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Applicants who do not meet the normal eligibility requirements for MCP coverage as outlined above, can be given special consideration due to strong economic, humanitarian, compassionate or other grounds. Each case must be reviewed individually by MCP, with required approval from the Minister of Health and Community Services.”

STOP VIANNE! No to tuition hikes and out of control spending!

During a press conference held at Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s Campus on December 2nd, 2021, a student held up a sign that states “STOP VIANNE! No to tuition hikes and out of control spending!”

Approximately 65 MUN employees taking part in remote work pilot projects

A recently obtained ATIPP request reveals the remote work pilot projects currently underway at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Approximately 63 employees at St. John’s campus and two employees at the Grenfell Campus are part of these pilot groups. Technology Transfer & Commercialization Office has approximately six staff taking part, Research Grant and Contract Services has approximately 23 staff, the School of Graduate Studies has approximately 22 staff, the Office of the Vice-President Administration & Finance has one staff, Human Resources has nine staff, Office of Development has two staff, and Grenfell Campus has two staff.

See ATIPP file below:

Record created by the Department of Human Resources to respond to ATIPP Request File #016-09-17-21 Date: November 18, 2021

The following remote work pilot projects were started on July 13, 2021* for up to a one year period, pending evaluations.

Pilot groups:

•Technology Transfer & Commercialization Office = remote work offered to 100% of office staff (approximately 6 staff)

•Research Grant and Contract Services = remote work offered to 100% of office staff(approximately 23 staff)

•School of Graduate Studies = remote work offered to 100% of office staff (approximately 22 staff)

•Vice-President Administration & Finance = 20% of staff (1 staff)

•Human Resources (Payroll Unit) = remote work offered to 100% of payroll staff (9 staff), or 17% of HR staff

•Office of Development = 5% of staff (2 staff)

•Grenfell Campus = 2 staff

Approximately 63 employees at St. John’s campus and two employees at the Grenfell Campus are part of the remote work pilot groups.

*Initial remote work pilots were expected to commence in February 2021, but were delayed due to public health changes and the closure of campus.

Image version of ATIPP:

record-created-for-response-to-atipp-request-016-09-17-21 Download