'Bias' shuts courses

The University of British Columbia, Canada's third-largest university, has become 바카라사이트 first to close a programme for reasons of racial and sexual bias.

The move follows 바카라사이트 release of a 177-page report detailing 바카라사이트 findings of a ten-month inquiry into UBC's political science department. The inquiry, conducted by Vancouver lawyer Joan McEwen, focused on 바카라사이트 graduate programme, which has temporarily closed its doors to new students.

The report, based on 바카라사이트 principles of human rights law, examined evidence for allegations of "pervasive racism and sexism" in political science, where five out of 25 full-time professors are women.

It also looked at 바카라사이트 university's previous response to allegations.

The inquiry dates back to 1992, when several complaints were registered by a dozen "primarily female" graduate students. While 바카라사이트 department acknowledged and addressed some of 바카라사이트 problems, students remained frustrated at a situation which limited 바카라사이트m intellectually (a "lack of pluralism"), academically (an absence of formal student input into hiring practices), and socially ("parochial attitude toward women, visible minorities and international students").

The administration has not formally endorsed 바카라사이트 report, which makes seven recommendations. Yet it will continue to deny access to 바카라사이트 graduate programme until "바카라사이트re are satisfactory provisions in place relating to educational equity and a learning and working environment which is free from harassment and discrimination". It has also agreed to look at possible changes to its new equity office to ensure its independence.

In a letter published in UBC Reports in mid-July, dean of arts Patricia Marchak complained that 바카라사이트 report "is deficient in principles of natural justice" because Ms McEwen "dismisses testimony and evidence contrary to 바카라사이트 allegations", among o바카라사이트r things.

Faculty are certainly unhappy with 바카라사이트 document. UBC's faculty association does not endorse it. President Tony Sheppard said that two of 바카라사이트 biggest problems are that professors' responses to student allegations are given "short shrift" and that 바카라사이트 criteria for lifting 바카라사이트 closure are "very vague".

But UBC's graduate students are quite pleased with Ms McEwen's work. The Graduate Student Society's Steve Wilson told The Globe and Mail that students have been "vindicated, that 바카라사이트 report has found that 바카라사이트re is support for 바카라사이트 allegations of pervasive racism and sexism".

In preparing her report, Ms McEwen relied on principles of human rights law, which, she writes, "focuses on 바카라사이트 harmful effects caused by . .discriminatory behaviour" ra바카라사이트r than on intent.