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Seizure of Capilano protest art draws investigation

Probe into CapU effigy to examine academic freedom
krisendom
Blathering on in Krisendom, a statue by Capilano University art instructor George Rammell

The Canadian Association of University Teachers has taken on the case of Capilano University art instructor George Rammell whose protest art was seized by the university administration last month.

The association is now conducting an investigation into whether Rammell's academic freedom was violated when former university board chairwoman Jane Shackell ordered the statue of president Kris Bulcroft, dubbed Blathering on in Krisendom, be taken away.

"We were appalled by what we had seen," said Jim Turk, the association's executive director, after seeing Rammell's story appear in various news media.

Rammell made the caricature in protest of the way his and other programs were cut from Capilano during a budget shortfall in 2013. In justifying its removal, Shackell said it constituted harassment of Bulcroft. The administration has since told Rammell he can have it back as long as he promises not to display it on campus.

Under the terms of the investigation, an independent volunteer group of university professors will examine the facts and issue a report with recommendations to remedy the dispute.

Though the association doesn't have any teeth to enforce its recommendations, it can censure Cap - a fate most schools will act to avoid, Turk said.

"We publicize that this is a pariah institution and recommend that no on take jobs there. We recommend that academic organizations not hold conference there and we advertise internationally for students and faculty the fact that this is a censured institution," Turk said. "It's a sanction that's so effective that, with one exception, we haven't had to censure any university administration in Canada since 1979."

The practice of academic freedom is sacred to universities, Turk said, and it extends to allowing university professors the ability to research, teach, criticize their own institution and comment on any issues they want without fear of professional reprisal.

"It really is the one institution in a society where, presumably, there is the freedom to examine all sides of things. That's how we advance. If we didn't question conventional wisdom, we'd never move beyond it," he said.

Rammell's case is very similar to the one of Robert Buckingham, the University of Saskatchewan professor who was fired for criticizing the way his administration handled budget cuts, Turk added. Buckingham was later rehired.

The university has already declined to take part in the investigation on the grounds that the Capilano Faculty Association has already filed a formal grievance with the university.

"Capilano University really considers this issue to be an internal issue between a faculty member, Capilano University and the CFA and we committed to resolving this issue through a grievance procedure because a grievance procedure is the appropriate mechanism provided by the collective agreement," said Borjana Slipicevic, university spokeswoman.

But there is no reason the university can't do both, according to the CFA's president-elect. "There's really no connection between the two of them and I would hope the university would realize that," said Brent Calvert.

Meanwhile, Rammell said he simply wants the statue back, undamaged, as he plans to continue working on it. Under his collective agreement, Rammell is allowed to continue working on professional development projects on campus until July 31.

Rammell said he welcomes the investigation in hopes that it will shine light on the way the university now operates.

"I have an enormous amount of respect for that organization and I think the university should co-operate for the sake of transparency," Rammell said. "If they're not willing to co-operate with them, who the hell are they willing to co-operate with other than themselves?" While he remains angry over the statue's seizure, Rammell said he takes some solace that Blathering on in Krisendom has received more attention now than it ever would have if the administration had simply let him keep it.

"This whole issue has provided an international platform for the issues at Cap and it's provided a venue for us to share in the illegalities that have gone on in this administration," he said. "My goal with that artwork right from the word 'go' was to get people talking. I didn't think people were talking enough."