Capilano University’s leadership is being called to apologize for censoring a former studio arts instructor or risk becoming a pariah institution among academics.
George Rammell created Blathering on in Krisendom, a caricature of university president Kris Bulcroft and her poodle Margaux and displayed it on campus as an act of protest against his and a host of other programs being cut from the school in 2013.
Then-board of governors chairwoman Jane Shackell ordered the statue removed, later saying it was personal harassment against Bulcroft. When the administration eventually returned it, it had been cut into pieces.
The board was later found to be in violation of the University Act for botching its consultation process with the university senate before cutting the classes.
A committee struck by the Canadian Association of University Teachers, which represents 68,000 post-secondary academics and staff, concluded that seizing the sculpture amounted to “institutional censorship,” which has contributed to a “culture of mistrust and fear at Capilano University.”
“Very seldom do I get a case that’s so clear cut as this one,” said David Robinson, the association’s executive director. “It’s absolutely clear there was a very flagrant fundamental violation of academic freedom.”
Rather than being just an ivory tower job perk, the ability to teach, research and criticize society and their own institution without fear of professional reprisal is necessary for professors to push the boundaries of knowledge for the good of society, Robinson said.
Beyond issuing a public apology, the association is recommending that Cap compensate Rammell, and review its respectful workplace policies to make sure they don’t inhibit expressive rights.
If Cap doesn’t follow through on the recommendations, the association could formally censure the university — a form of boycott urging professors not to accept jobs or attend conferences there, and asking journals not to publish research from the school.
Rarely do universities ever reach that point, Robinson said.
“In almost every case, the administration backs down because the administration recognizes this would be a terrible step for its reputation within the academic community and amongst students and alumni,” Robinson said.
But it looks like there’s no apology coming. Current board chairwoman Shelley McDade issued a statement following the report saying the issue was dealt with through a union grievance process in 2014.
“The matter relating to Mr. Rammell was settled almost a year ago, and the University considers it closed. The Canadian Association of University Teachers is an association that has no relationship, authority or jurisdiction relating to Capilano University,” she stated.
“Academic freedom is enshrined in the university senate policy. The university remains committed to cultivating and protecting a respectful workplace, in accordance with its policies.”
The association’s academic freedom committee will meet in August and discuss whether the school should be formally censured.
Rammell welcomes the report vindicating what he had being saying all along. And while Blathering on in Krisendom was successful in drawing the public’s attention to the ongoing issues at Cap, Rammell said he still hasn’t reached his target audience with the piece.
“I haven’t accomplished my goal of trying to educate the board on the basics of academic freedom,” he said. “If they would just educate themselves a little bit so they could make some informed decisions, I’d be really happy.”
Rammell continues to work on a new body of sculpture, including incorporating the broken pieces of the old Blathering into a larger, more expressive one called Margaux and the Monarch, which is now on display at the Nutter Glass Studio on Granville Island.
Rammell also contends the destruction of his art was illegal and he plans to pursue it with the RCMP.
