April 2013
March 15, 2013
Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur
President, University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1
Dear President Hamdullahpur:
Re: Events of March 13, 2013
I’m writing on behalf of the Society for Academic
Freedom and Scholarship (SAFS), a national organization of professors, students,
and interested others who are dedicated to academic freedom, free speech, and
reasoned debate on university campuses. You can learn more about our
organization at
www.safs.ca.
On March 13, 2013, Stephen Woodworth, Member of
Parliament for Kitchener-Centre, was invited by Waterloo Students for Life to
speak on campus about his Parliamentary Motion 312, which deals with the
definition of life in the Criminal Code. Mr. Woodworth’s presentation was shut
down by noisy protestors, and the event had to be disbanded. Posted video shows
several campus security personnel in attendance, but according to the
National Post this morning, Ellen Rethore, your spokesperson, said the
police were there “to guard the safety of everyone, not enforce rules of
academic debate.”
With respect, SAFS believes that university security
personnel should indeed be deployed to enable free speech and debate during
scheduled classes or presentations by invited speakers. Not to do so is to
invite mob rule on campus, as self-appointed protestors determine who will be
allowed to speak.
It was much to your university’s credit when an apology was issued to author Christie Blatchford after protestors
disrupted her invited presentation in 2010. We trust that you will do the right
thing by apologizing to Mr. Woodworth.
We are heartened that your spokesperson, Ellen
Rethore, also said in the same National Post story referred to earlier,
that “the disruptive behavior was unacceptable,” an inquiry was underway, and
that the “school would welcome Mr. Woodworth back, and prevent a repeat.” Ms.
Rethore also stated: “Our goal is to ensure an environment of tolerance and
uphold the right of individuals to advance their views openly.”
We agree with the goal, but wonder how it will be
achieved. We suggest new policies may need to be worked out for university
security so that they accept responsibility for effectively preventing
disruption at public events, such as Mr. Woodworth’s speech. It is also
important that you, as president, re-affirm to the university community in the
strongest language the importance of free debate on campus of controversial
issues.
Thank you for your continued attention to these
matters.
Sincerely,
Clive Seligman, President
Help us maintain freedom in teaching, research and scholarship by joining SAFS or making a donation.
