PRESS CONFERENCE, SEPT 11 2008
12h00 in front of Morisset Library
(by the main doors on the university court yard)
The Executive of the Board of Governors (EBOG) will meet on September 11 at 13h00, in Room 210 of Tabaret Hall, to rule on the one-day suspension of Prof. Denis Rancourt. The University of Ottawa is determined to discipline Prof. Rancourt for openly criticizing and publicly exposing the governance of the institution with his blog UofO Watch (uofowatch.blogspot.com). The University of Ottawa states that Prof. Rancourt is violating a policy that allows professors to use its copyrighted images from its website only "for the positive promotion of activities related to the University of Ottawa." Under this pretense, the University of Ottawa is engaging in political censorship. Prof. Rancourt has explained that "Criticism is positive, healthy, and necessary to produce change. [...] Not exposing known problems encourages their continuation." At the Sept 11 EBOG meeting, the University of Ottawa is expected to justify its motivation for suppressing institutional criticism.
The University of Ottawa operates in secrecy.
The University of Ottawa has barred Prof. Rancourt from attending the EBOG disciplinary meeting, in response to Prof. Rancourt publicly announcing the meeting. This is a continued attempt on the part of the University of Ottawa to silence Prof. Rancourt's views from the general community. Prof. Rancourt will present himself at the EBOG meeting to question the Board's conduct.
University of Ottawa student Marc Kelly requested to attend the Sept 11 EBOG meeting, in accordance with the University of Ottawa's official values (http://web5.uottawa.ca/vision2010/), which state that "every member of [the] institution will take part in [its] educational mission" and that "transparency [is one of the] principles that guides [the] university governance". Secretary Pamela Harrod responded that the "Executive Committee meeting will be held in closed session" and that "[students] will not be able to attend the meeting".
University of Ottawa alumni Nicholas Loeb requested to observe the Sept 11 EBOG discussion. Secretary Harrod responded that “meetings of this Committee are not meetings to which the public are invited to attend.”
In January 2004, the University of Ottawa began constructing its "vision, mission, values, directions and goals" through a process "conducted in the spirit of complete transparency" which became Vision 2010 (http://web5.uottawa.ca/vision2010/). With Vision 2010, the University of Ottawa promises to "encourage freedom of expression in an atmosphere of open dialogue" and to be "open to the world". With Vision 2010, the University of Ottawa promises to "enhance [students'] ability to question and analyze [...] and become responsible citizens and leaders of our society". By barring everyone from the Sept 11 EBOG meeting, the University of Ottawa has shown Vision 2010 to be a charade.
According to the University of Ottawa Act 1965, and academic practice in Canada, Board of Governors meetings are meant to be transparent and public. According to the University of Ottawa Act 1965, the objective of the university is to "promote the betterment of society". The betterment of society is not possible without transparency of governance.
THE EXECUTIVE OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS WILL RULE ON THE TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF PROF. DENIS RANCOURT
September 11 at 13h00
Room 210 of Tabaret Hall
During the EBOG meeting, the University of Ottawa is expected to justify its motivation for suppressing institutional criticism and governing without transparency. In accordance with the University of Ottawa's Vision 2010, all members of the university and the general public are free to participate.
Pamela A. Harrod, Secretary of the University
Email: secruniv@uOttawa.ca
Tel.: (613) 562-5950
Fax: (613) 562-5178
Denis G. Rancourt, Full professor
Email: dgr@uOttawa.ca
Tel.: (613) 562-5800 ext. 6774
Fax: (613) 562-5190
voice.uOttawa@gmail.com
UofOvoice.blogspot.com
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