As with my last post, I just drew some basic attention to the Conservative/former Reform party connections of nearly half the faculty at the new Clayton H. Riddell Graduate Program in Political Management at Carleton University. That was only using the information that was publically available; there may be more, as the deal which created this institution shrouded in secrecy.
Carleton University is withholding key information about a $15-million donation that created a school backed by Preston Manning — and an adjudicator has ordered an explanation by Tuesday.
There isn’t too much I can really add, beyond pointing out the connections. What I will re-iterate from, other sources, is contextualizing this issue.
Take the example of the case of York University in Toronto, with the creation of Centre for International Governance Innovation (international law faculty).
Through the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), the co-founder of BlackBerry smartphone maker Research In Motion Ltd. has committed to donate $30-million to create 10 research chairs and 20 graduate scholarships over the next 10 years.
In return, Mr. Balsillie’s private, not-for-profit organization has secured a voice to influence, and veto, staffing and curriculum at the school…
As financial pressures force governments to cut back, university funding has taken a big hit. The shortfall has forced post-secondary institutions in Canada to look to the private sector to help make up the slack and in doing so, they have become heavily involved in the business of fundraising. In some cases, donors now appear — at least on paper — to have more power to influence areas that have always been the exclusive domain of universities. And almost all of the joint collaborations involve significant amounts of taxpayers’ money.
And it gets worse, just look at the level of influenced secured:
For that reason, the controversial deal between York University and CIGI has raised the ire of some in academic circles. According to the recently completed agreement, a five-member steering committee comprised of two members from Mr. Balsillie’s think-tank, two from York and the executive director of the program will establish the 10 research chairs. Among the committee’s responsibilities, “establishing the specific financial terms and expectations for each of the chairs, including their research plans and research support.” And all decisions made by the committee require unanimous approval.
In the United States, these sort of private-sector deals are even worse:
Even in the U.S., which has a longer tradition of private-sector collaborations with academia, a similar discussion is underway. Alarm bells sounded last year when Charles G. Koch, a conservative businessman, pledged $1.5-million to the Florida State University and in return he is allowed to screen and sign off on any hires for a new economics program “promoting political economy and free enterprise.” Mr. Koch co-founded the Cato Institute, a right-wing policymaking think tank.
In 2008, banking executive John Allison donated millions of dollars to 25 U.S. colleges and universities to establish programs, including a course on “The Moral Foundations of Capitalism,” dedicated to the study of Ayn Rand’s books and economic philosophy. As part of the controversial 10-year deal, students are required to read Atlas Shrugged and Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations.
Hopefully now you can see why the 15 million dollar donation from a wealthy oil-man, which secures at least half the staff to be right-wingers with connections to the Conservative party/former Reform party, is a conspiracy worth pointing out.
Is there an agenda being pushed? How much more influence does Preston Manning have? What is at stake? These are all questions that need to be uncovered. More coming, hopefully.
