Academics association charges conflict of interest at University of Calgary
The president of the University of Calgary was in a conflict of interest over a 2011 plan for a corporate-funded research centre at the institution, an investigation by a group that represents academics has concluded.
The Canadian Association of University Teachers also found that creation of the Enbridge Centre for Corporate Sustainability was fraught with governance problems and subject to influence from its donor. As well, faculty and staff have been intimidated from speaking out on the issue ever since, the association said.
“We have extensive experience dealing with university administrations on matters related to academic freedom,” said the report’s authors in a letter to Gordon Ritchie, chairman of the university’s board of governors.
“Neither of us can recall ever having encountered a university administration, or indeed any party, that took such an array of steps as the University of Calgary has done in order to avoid engaging with, while also actively frustrating or discrediting, an independent investigation into its past conduct.”