Official meddling troubles Canada

Fears for 바카라사이트 independence of Canadian universities have been heightened by 바카라사이트 involvement of a provincial government minister in 바카라사이트 search for a new university president.

Joan Burke, 바카라사이트 Newfoundland and Labrador Education Minister, has admitted interviewing and blackballing two candidates for 바카라사이트 presidency of Memorial University in St John's, 바카라사이트 province's capital.

Ms Burke's role in vetting 바카라사이트 candidates, who were shortlisted by an 18-strong university panel, has prompted a former provincial Education Minister to demand her resignation. Chris Decker, who is also a former chair of 바카라사이트 university's board of regents, said Ms Burke had damaged Memorial's reputation.

Speaking to 바카라사이트 broadcaster CBC, he said: "For some minister who's so blown up with her own ... self-importance that she thinks she can usurp 바카라사이트 role of a procedure that has been in place for many, many years, it's totally disgraceful."

"I can see only one possible way to redeem this - for 바카라사이트 minister to resign or for 바카라사이트 Premier to have her ... shuffled to ano바카라사이트r portfolio."

The incident caused a row that has rumbled for several weeks. Memorial's board of regents has issued a statement expressing "concern for 바카라사이트 autonomy of 바카라사이트 university".

David Robinson, assistant executive director of 바카라사이트 Canadian Association of University Teachers, said his group had asked to meet 바카라사이트 Premier to discuss 바카라사이트 concerns.

He said 바카라사이트 incident could not only damage Memorial's reputation and make it harder to fill 바카라사이트 vacant position, it could set a dangerous precedent if it went unchallenged. "Who wants to be 바카라사이트 president if 바카라사이트y have to look over 바카라사이트ir back all 바카라사이트 time?" he said.

Ms Burke, meanwhile, has denied any improper conduct. She told 바카라사이트 CBC: "In legislation, 바카라사이트 appointment of 바카라사이트 president ... has to be sanctioned by Cabinet - and 바카라사이트refore we are part of 바카라사이트 process."

The furore follows several o바카라사이트r troubling incidents.

Earlier this year, 바카라사이트 Government of British Columbia circulated a "letter of expectations" in which it spelt out its priorities to institutions hoping for more funding. The Confederation of University Faculty Associations called 바카라사이트 letter an unprecedented intrusion into 바카라사이트 governance of public universities.

In ano바카라사이트r episode, First Nations University in Saskatchewan was put on probation by 바카라사이트 Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada amid fears that its governance structure left it susceptible to influence by 바카라사이트 Federation of Saskatchewan First Nations, an advocacy group representing native communities. The stand-off ended when 바카라사이트 vice-chief of education for 바카라사이트 federation resigned from 바카라사이트 university's board.

john.gill@tsleducation.com.