“I do not blame [the support staff] for any of this,” says Jillian Prins, a third-year U of O chemical engineering and biochemistry student. “They literally are the ones taking risks by being on campus to provide us with a complete education,” says Clara Perrier, a second-year biochemistry major at the U of O.
“Academic freedom, which protects professors and researchers from sanctions when they dissent from prevailing opinions, has been seriously undermined by the authoritarian left. This was confirmed recently in a controversy concerning a University of Ottawa professor who spoke the ‘N-word’ in class,” writes Stuart Chambers, a professor at the school of sociology and anthropology at the University of Ottawa.
There was tension in the air on Monday as the University of Ottawa’s Board of Governors met to discuss the recent events at the University. Topics included the PSUO-SSUO new collective agreement negotiations, racism on campus with new alleged incidents this past weekend, and the approval of a new 2020-21 budget.
“What is happening at the University of Ottawa is not about white folk’s right to access reclaimed verbiage by communities outside of their own, nor about academic freedom, as we have been so led to believe. What we are collectively bearing witness to is about power; namely who can access it, and who must succumb to it,” writes Shadé Edwards, a second-year common law student at the University of Ottawa.
It’s been more than a week now since the University of Ottawa’s support staff (PSUO-SSUO) went on strike following the breakdown of mediated talks with the University of Ottawa on Oct.15. The Fulcrum believes it’s time for the University to get back to the bargaining table and strike a fair deal with PSUO-SSUO members that does not involve significant cuts to members healthcare coverage.
“To the young people who have found such glee in attacking their professors; your self-righteous instrumentalization of identity politics, it must be said, is hyperbolic and misdirected,” writes Ryan Lux a doctoral candidate at the U of O’s school of sociological and anthropological studies.
“It was very emotional for me as I had never before heard so much appreciation for non-Indigenous presence,” said Polish retiree Feliks Welfeld.
University of Ottawa president Jacques Frémont has released a second statement to the U of O community asking for “calm and reflection” around the recent controversy surrounding a professor’s use of the ‘N-word.’
A “Hateful/bias graffiti” was found on the University of Ottawa’s campus on the afternoon of Oct. 18. The student body was alerted with a tweet and statement from the University.
The University of Ottawa’s president and vice-chancellor Jacques Frémont responded early this morning to the recent incident of a professor uttering the ‘N-word’ in an online lecture. The professor had been suspended since early October, and a group of professors had written a letter denouncing her treatment at the hands of the U of O administration.
CHEO and U of O have partnered with the City of Ottawa to work on a “shitty” research project dealing with local sewage.
What’s new at the University of Ottawa biophysics labs: an investigation into the research being conducted at the STEM complex and the possibility of an updated virtual lab tour for students.
Caroline Cox of the Shepherds of Good Hope knew in March when the pandemic hit, they would be in trouble, not just for the number of already-vulnerable persons they help but in losing their dedicated senior volunteers leaving for their health and safety. However, their downtown Ottawa location has had an unexpected uptick in the number of student volunteers.
“We don’t know much about the mental health of our workforce in this country. The more this crisis goes on, the more these issues will be compounded,” said Ivy Lynn Bourgeault, a U of O professor and holder of the University’s research chair in gender, diversity and the professions.
The union representing support and administrative staff at the University of Ottawa (PSUO-SSUO) has announced its intention to proceed with a strike on Monday at 12:01 a.m. if it cannot reach a tentative settlement on a collective agreement with the University.
The University “received reports that some players were not following self-isolation rules.”
“How do we make progress from here at the University of Ottawa? If by terming it as a good crisis, Jacques Frémont is going to make transformational changes in the U of O landscape, I am all behind him, but if it is going to be talk, PR, and no action, then his legacy will be harshly judged by all generations,” writes Rony Fosting an international student at the University of Ottawa.
It’s been a rough month, but we’re staying spooky at The Fulcrum. Here’s a top ten list of Halloween faves to get you through October.
Horror, fantasy, and social commentary meet in HBO’s newest venture, based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Here’s an introduction to Lovecraft Country.
The Medical School Building opened its doors in 1954. Now named the Vanier Hall the Fulcrum was on the scene to report on the opening of the then “state of the art” building.
“I think always being honest and always being open to whatever people have to tell me and being honest about synthesizing that information and bringing it forward. I don’t have a whip, I don’t have much power, but I do have people listening to me,” says Elizabeth Kristjansson, the University of Ottawa’s new advisor on mental health and wellness
“There needed to be a clear and forceful reaction of the international community,” Packer said in an interview with the Fulcrum. “Unfortunately, what we’ve seen is the opposite.”
There are 15 positions open. Nomination period is from Oct. 12 to Oct. 27 with voting from Nov. 1 to Nov. 7.
We took a visit to the new German Doner Kebab at Elgin and Somerset. Here’s what you should try.
We caught up with U of O professor Dr. Gerald Lynch to answer a few questions on his upcoming mystery novel, The Dying Detective.
