It’s no secret at Carleton that our Board of Governors (BoG) has some problems with transparency. From student access to student union membership on the board, it’s difficult for students to engage with Carleton’s highest governing body.
Earlier this year, the board revised a motion that protects what is discussed in board meetings. The motion, which has been in place since 2008 and was revised this year, will not permit board members from talking about the proceedings of the board in public, including media. The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) is publicly condemning the proposal, calling it an outright violation of academic freedom and transparency, possibly blacklisting Carleton.
The board has gone several steps too far. With this new policy in place, the board will be free to function however it chooses with little oversight or consequences. Because of this, CAUT’s condemnation—though harsh—makes sense. Having a board that is publicly condemned hurts everyone: the university, its teaching staff, and students. It damages the reputation of the university long-term. Blacklist status will mean academics are discouraged from taking jobs or attending conferences at Carleton. The new policy and the blacklist status means Carleton will have a difficult time attracting academic talent to the university.
Carleton can’t flourish as an academic institution when not only is its board muzzled, but it can’t attract fresh, talented academics. The BoG needs to scrap this motion and allow its members to speak freely. This is the only way a truly transparent and accountable board can function.
