The premature release of a government news release concerning Memorial's autonomy is in the news today. Yesterday P&P noted that the Department of Education had sent out an advisory regarding a release they had issued a few hours earlier admitting that the university had not agreed to the content. This embarrassing issue just gets worse.
The Telegram is providing good coverage of the latest cock-up at the Department of Education related to Memorial. Education Minister Joan Burke is doing a decent job of damage control but she must be livid that this huge a public media fiasco has occurred on her watch and such a sensitive topic. I doubt the Minister told her PR director to fire off a press release that had not been vetted by Memorial, but the buck stops with the Minister. The government has once again shown a disregard for Memorial's autonomy.
Memorial's acting president and the one time front runner for the Presidents job stated that "I mean I'd prefer it didn't happen, but it happens. It's not a big deal." He indicated that the meeting he attended on Monday included the Premier which shows how serious the province is taking the issue. I wonder if he had a chance to ask the Premier and Minister Burke why he was rejected out of hand for the job. Minister Burke continued to clean up the mess by meeting with MUNFA and CAUT as well.
So far these is still no answer from government on what they will do in the future or even if the Minister will once again. interview the next round of candidates. It is high time that Mr. Williams address the ffailure of his administration to respect academic freedom and clear the air once and for all.
It is obvious that his Minister's department does not even know which end of the peace pipe to light!
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