If the University is a private institution then they’re entitled to have their members of staff have certain rules. Not creating an uncomfortable situation for their students would probably come into line with those rules. I suppose the controversy could have been alleviated with some kind of warning in place beforehand so that students who might be offended could have the opportunity to leave. Her free speech wasn’t violated. In the Uk teachers aren’t allowed to advocate for a political party over another, or at least my teachers weren’t, that’s not a violation of free speech it was just school policy.
I do think comparing it to Hitler was slightly excessive thogh and it does irritate me how the government spokeswomen basically refused to give a straight answer so you have to wade trough her question parrying to find her actual position on the matter.
Whether her actions broke some rule or not, I find it absolutely despicable that someone who clearly presented the opinions in a neutral manner of a current political issue gets sanctioned for not taking sides. That's what happened here - she got sanctioned for not taking sides. Moreover she got sanctioned for fulfilling the university's core mission, presenting a current issue with the invitation for critical thought. Besides, it's The Agenda, which is Ontario's public political broadcast, which is a very well moderated debate on current issues. It's not an offensive show, nor is it anything more than presentation of well articulate ideas. There is no excuse for it, and it's disturbing that it happened.
I swear to god if the university I go to next year is like this I'll shoot myself.
Sadly it probably will. Take a look at the ratings to see how it'll be:
http://campusfreedomindex.ca/ My campus gets C's all around, but it's usually fairly departmental: avoid Political Science, Gender Studies, English and theatre if you're a fan of having your own opinion.
