Recent Comments
Author Archives: Arts Squared
Clarions, not crickets! Who will defend academic freedom at the University of Alberta? (Guest post by Laurie Adkin)
Academic freedom is under relentless attack by the political and economic actors who feel threatened by scholarly research or speech—especially the “extramural” speech of academics. Academic freedom encompasses not only what is taught or studied, but speech that “is not … Continue reading
Posted in academic freedom
Tagged academic freedom, critique of the israeli state, gaza, laurie adkin, michael litwack, palestine
Leave a comment
In which the University of Alberta forgets that it has faculty
Yesterday the “invitation” below went out to members of the “College of Social Sciences and Humanities” at the University of Alberta. The invitation is for “small group” meetings with the two candidates for the role of “College Dean” — a … Continue reading
Acting Like the House is on Fire (Guest Post by Laurie Adkin)
In his speech to the university community May 3, 2022, President Bill Flanagan observed that “the global challenge of climate change is increasingly urgent.” It is good that the climate crisis has made it into his address to the university … Continue reading
Posted in climate crisis, climate emergency, State of the University
Tagged amina robinson fayek, bill flanagan, doug goss, fossil fuels, greenwashing, ipcc report, kate chisholm, laurie adkin, race to zero, steven dew, todd gilchrist, ualberta future energy systems, ualberta signature areas
Leave a comment
“Evolving” to what? The Plans for the Humanities Centre and the Future of the University of Alberta
Last Friday morning (Good Friday), CBC Edmonton published a story confirming that the University of Alberta “is looking” to lease out the Humanities Centre or possibly demolish it. The schedule for this decision is uncertain. But the University claims that … Continue reading
Just How Broken is Collegial Governance at the University of Alberta? Part III: Step One in Restoring GFC’s Authority
This is part three in a series. Part I is here, and Part II is here. The general MO of the current senior administration is to marginalize GFC by bringing as little as they can to GFC for its approval, … Continue reading
Posted in academic governance, academic restructuring 2021, decolonizing the academy
Tagged academic leaders, academic senate secretaries, bill flanagan, daVid kahane, david konrad, duff-berdahl, florence glanfield, general faculties council, lynette shultz, provost ualberta, the gateway, ualberta board of governors
Leave a comment
Just How Broken is Collegial Governance at the University of Alberta? Part II: The University Secretary and “GCUS”
On 2 July 2020, Bill Flanagan’s first day, proper, on the job as the University’s new President, members of the University community received an email entitled “Announcement Regarding University Secretary.” This email informed us that “[t]o streamline functions and achieve … Continue reading
Just How Broken is Collegial Governance at the University of Alberta? Part I: Cutting of “Academic Leaders”
Last year, members of the University of Alberta’s community were repeatedly stunned by the attempted railroading of the University community and the University’s senior academic governance body, the General Faculties Council (GFC), that occurred as the new president, Bill Flanagan, … Continue reading
Selling the Ring Houses, A Faustian Bargain (Guest Post by Laurie Adkin, Political Science)
The battle over the future of the historic early 20th century houses (the Ring Houses) located on the north campus of the University of Alberta is a microcosm of the larger struggle for the soul of the university. Using the … Continue reading
Wear Black Friday (Guest post by Cole Rockarts, NASA)
This Friday, October 8, will mark an inauspicious day at the University of Alberta, as all remaining in-house custodial services will cease to be provided by university staff and will be outsourced to private contractor Bee-Clean. Back in July, thousands … Continue reading
It’s Time to Show Moral Leadership and Save Lives (Guest post by John Church, Political Science)
Last Tuesday I wrote to the Dean of Arts to express my concerns about the impending full reopening of the university. I indicated to the Dean that the proposed approach to reopening was not based on the best available scientific … Continue reading
The Clock is Ticking Down, Decisive Action Needed to Ensure Health and Safety of University of Alberta Community this Fall
Members of the academic staff at the University of Alberta have finally had a response from the Association of Academic Staff’s President in regard to the University’s preparations for the return to classes in four weeks’ time. In the face … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
1 Comment
Arts Squared 