campus news International Conference
Experts discuss academic freedom
Engaging in difficult conversations on academic freedom and academic integrity is essential for the future of post-secondary education, and is exactly the type of debate the Perspectives on Academic Freedom conference, co-hosted by Laurier and the University of Waterloo, was intended to foster. Held in September in partnership with the Association of Universities and Colleges Canada (AUCC), its aim was to have informed discussion around issues of academic freedom and integrity in the
context of partnership agreements. The conference brought together a number of international experts, including Gary Rhoades, a professor and director of the Center for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Arizona. In his keynote address, Rhoades lauded the hosts for choosing to have this discussion in a public forum. “What you are doing is really important,” Rhoades said. “My hope is that, given your ability to work through difficult conversations better than we do in the U.S., you will help map some distinctive ways to co-operate, to innovate, to energize the best possible relationships between universities and civil society and the corporate world.” In addition to general discussions on the nature of such relationships, a key objective of the conference was to allow debate specifically on governance arrangements relating to the Basillie School of International Affairs (BSIA). The BSIA is a partnership between Laurier, Waterloo and the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), which is a private think tank founded by former
RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie. Last April, the CAUT announced its intention to censure Laurier and Waterloo if they did not amend the governance structure. CAUT President Jim Turk clarified his stance during the conference. “This talk is not about academic freedom,” Turk told the audience. “It is about academic integrity — namely what strings may universities appropriately allow over the operation of a donor-funded university entity, whether it be a school, an institute, a centre, program or chair.” Turk mentioned the CAUT’s concerns with the wording outlined in two documents: the BSIA donor agreement and the BSIA governance document. Blouw thanked the CAUT for making sure the universities considered whether they had the right wording, the right elements and the right degrees of separation in the BSIA governance documents in order to confidently move forward. “Have our Senates got it right? I think we do. I hope we do,” said Blouw. “We need clearly to elaborate further on some of the detail of the interaction and partnerships.”
We need to have the the tools to respond to students in a supportive way. Adrienne Luft, mental health/student support team leader Student success
Laurier creates critical new mental health role to support students In an effort to provide greater support to students dealing with mental health challenges, Laurier has named Adrienne Luft to the new role of mental health/ student support team leader, making Laurier one of only three Canadian universities to create such a role. In this new position, Luft will lead Laurier’s institutional mental health strategy. She will also act as a conduit for students seeking help for mental health or academic challenges by connecting them to services inside and outside of the university. Dean of Students Leanne Holland Brown
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says this new role is critical. “Given what we know about the prevalence of mental health struggles and the distinct needs of our university students, this role further evidences Laurier’s commitment to students’ personal and academic success,” says Holland Brown. Luft will also lead the implementation of a new $40,000 grant from the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund. The funds will support a mental health and awareness-training program for faculty, staff and students to help them identify the signs and symptoms of mental illness.
“We need to have the tools to respond to students in a supportive way,” said Luft. “This program will help us do that, and make people more aware of services on campus and in the community.” The grant will also go toward developing a peer-based program, expanding the resource library, and creating an anti-stigma video featuring Laurier students that can be shown during orientation events and training. As well, Laurier will join a U.S.based research study aimed at gaining a better understanding of mental health on campuses.