UNIVERSITY GETS IT RIGHT

When the University of Alberta senate decided over a year ago to award David Suzuki with a ceremonial degree, it’s unlikely they could have anticipated the honour would spark a firestorm.

Since the announcement two weeks ago, Albertans have deluged this newspaper with angry letters, the deans of the school’s engineering and business faculties have either denounced the move or apologized for it. Meanwhile, alumni and corporate donors are cancelling their financial support to the university.

In a guest column submitted to the Edmonton Journal, U of A president David Turpin acknowledged the opposition but refused to back down.

“We recognize that for many Albertans, Suzuki is an unpopular, untimely choice,” Turpin wrote.

“That contradiction and controversy is a sign that the U of A is what it should be: an independent, autonomous institution of higher learning that champions freedom of thought and academic integrity above all else.”

Turpin rightly argues for the freedom to recognize an accomplished figure, however divisive, but gets to the heart of the matter when he calls it “untimely;” the university should have honoured Suzuki years ago.

Suzuki has a notable connection to the university. He landed his first teaching job at the U of A in 1962. Edmonton is also where he was introduced to television audiences, on a Sunday morning U of A science show broadcast on community TV.

Suzuki went on to teach in Vancouver and then became nationally famous as a scientist, television host, author, environmental activist — and vocal critic of the Alberta oilsands. If an honorary degree is to recognize someone’s lifetime contributions to society, he is deserving.

The U of A waited so long to honour one of its own that Suzuki’s honorary degree in June will be his 30th. He already has 29, including one from the University of Calgary, based in the city where many of the loudest protests originate.

The school’s ill-timing was aggravated by Suzuki’s busy schedule; he was originally supposed to receive the degree last year but will instead accept it this year, just when tensions and divisions over the imperilled Trans Mountain pipeline expansion are at a fever pitch.

Turpin is right to argue the university’s place is to champion academic integrity and independence. The U of A must be free to honour whomever it wishes. Those who disagree have the right to protest. Both are prerogatives of a free society.

Yes, Suzuki has been a harsh detractor of the oilsands but it is watchdogs like him that have pushed the industry to improve its practices.

It’s time to honour the man.