On July 8, 2024, Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association President Josh Lepawsky penned a “President’s Update” letter titled “Police Actions On Campus and Academic Freedom.”
He stated that for weeks, students and faculty have engaged in peaceful protest in the form of an encampment for their cause. In addition to taking up physical space, the acts also included signs expressing solidarity with Palestinians and holding teach-ins. Lepawsky stated that none of the tactics by the students and faculty impeded any university community members’ academic freedom.
He said that upholding academic freedom is “an obligation on all members of the University community” and that the actions by university administrators on the night of Friday, July 5, 2024, are “a direct attack on our academic freedom rights.”
Lepawsky argues that the administrators’ actions show that they are willing to use the police to enforce their position if they disagree with expressions of academic freedom, including non-violent protests. “I condemn these actions by our university’s administrators. They fly in the face of our rights enshrined in our Collective Agreement,” said Lepawsky.
Lepawsky said that the administrators have also shown that they are willing to pick and choose a legal decision from an outside jurisdiction that suits their position and use it to send in armed police to serve petty trespassing summons to students allegedly trespassing on their own university. He said this is “cowardly and dangerous.” Lepawsky said it’s cowardly because the administration did not have the guts to seek an injunction under the jurisdiction they’re under in Newfoundland and Labrador. He said it is dangerous due to “the chilling effect arising from knowing armed police will be deployed even against unarmed, peaceful protesters.”
In conclusion, Lepawsky stated, “Post-secondary institutions must serve the common good of our society through open and free discussion, research, teaching, participation, independent thinking, expression, and dissent – and academic freedom serves to ensure that these pursuits are possible without fear of recrimination or punishment. Academic freedom is a pillar of a properly functioning, robust, and healthy democracy.”
Matt Barter is a graduate of the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, holding a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, taking walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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