Carleton University’s Senate has rejected a motion that would have encouraged the Board of Governors to withdraw the proposed impartiality policy.
The motion on Friday stemmed from a general faculty board meeting on Thursday, where members voted to ask the university’s senate to recommend against the policy.
“I think it means a lot if this motion was passed at the faculty board meeting with a huge margin,” Senator Azar Masoumi said. “This does reflect the views of a large portion of faculty on this campus.”
There was no discussion on the motion itself at senate, and it quickly moved to a vote.
The motion failed with 23 in favour and 24 nays.
Carleton University Student Association president Sean Joe-Ezigbo abstained from the motion, despite CUSA endorsing Carleton 4 Palestine’s statement strongly rejecting the proposed impartiality policy.
Joe-Ezigbo said this decision stems from the lack of a council position from CUSA.
“I didn’t want to speak on something that was seemingly so controversial — and in the moment — without council’s inputs,” Joe-Ezigbo told the Charlatan.
“I’m just the spokesperson. I don’t make the decisions. So barring whatever I may believe, everything I do in terms of representing has to represent what their own opinions and beliefs on what is best for the student population.”
Joe-Ezigbo said while it is CUSA’s mandate to support student groups and their initiatives, it does not necessarily reflect the organization’s stance on matters.
“Supporting a statement or supporting the group doesn’t necessarily mean taking a stance on a matter,” he said.
The proposed impartiality policy will go to a vote Tuesday at the Board of Governors meeting.
If implemented, the policy would prohibit academic or administrative departments from making statements on political issues and prohibit members of the Carleton community from making statements that could be interpreted as being on behalf of the university.
Carleton has received criticism for the proposal, with student groups, faculty and unions calling on the university to withdraw the policy from consideration, citing potential threats to free speech and academic freedom on campus.
Featured graphic by Sara Mizannojehdehi/the Charlatan
