July 30, 2010

Dr. Clive Seligman

President, SAFS

London, Ontario

Dear Dr. Seligman

Thank you for your e-mail dated July 12, 2010 and subsequent follow-up on July 26, 2010.

I would like to assure you, and your colleagues, that there is no intention to abridge academic freedom by Trent’s Senate and Board of Governors in approving the Vision for Trent University.

This vision does not determine any pedagogical or academic approach or introduce policy to discourage any viewpoint, but instead is meant to encourage debate, the exploration of ideas and the interpretation of knowledge. The Vision for Trent is not intended to prevent inquiry about or criticism of the validity of Indigenous – or any other – approaches to knowledge.

Trent remains committed to academic freedom. Thank you for your comments on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Steven E. Franklin, Ph.D.

President and Vice-Chancellor.