When a Calgary businessman offered $15-million to Carleton to launch a cutting-edge political management program, the administration was understandably eager to sign the lucrative deal. However, it seems the university got more than it had bargained for.
The ‘cross-partisan’ program is being funded by the Riddell Family Charitable Foundation, headed by oil magnate Clayton Riddell. Riddell’s strong connections with former Reform Party leader Preston Manning mean that Manning and his conservative think-tank have been front and centre in launching the program.
A steering committee, which consists of Manning, two of Riddell’s representatives, and two university representatives, has advisory powers over the program’s curriculum, direction, faculty and even student awards. Since Manning is the chair and is backed up by the two Riddell appointments, he has a de facto majority on the committee.
The continued presence of a clearly partisan steering committee is a major cause for concern. The political management program’s credibility is at stake, and so is the rest of the university’s. What about our programs in political science, public administration and policy management? Will students still choose Carleton if they believe our programs are run by right-wing (or left-wing) organizations?
The university administration must respect the concerns of the Canadian Association of University Teachers and rewrite — not simply re-word — the agreement, so it is abundantly clear a partisan organisation has no influence over it. The administration also has to be more open and transparent when signing donor agreements in the future, as students and teachers at this school have a right to know how their programs are being run.
A $15-million donation is worth a lot, but it’s not worth our reputation and credibility.
