RHODES PERSPECTIVE

In the recent dispute between Dr. Robert Buckingham and the University of Saskatchewan much is made of the fact that public criticism was aired by Buckingham. In 2008 a paper was written for League of European Research Universities by Geoffrey Boulton and Colin Lucas entitled What Are Universities For. In the section entitled university governance, the following comment is made:

“Political boldness is also required. The freedom to inquire, to debate, to criticize and to speak truth to power, whether it be the of government, of those that fund the university, or those who manage it, is central to the vitality of the university and its utility to society. It is crucial that rectors and university governing boards understand this essential source of institutional strength, that they are steadfast in its support, strong in its defence and are not seduced by the fallacy of managerial primacy: that things that make management difficult necessarily need to be removed or reformed. An easily governed university is no university at all.”

U of S provost Brett Fairbairn is a former Rhodes Scholar and historian. It’s a pity he has not heeded the wise words of Lucas, who is also a historian, former warden of Rhodes House and former vice-chancellor of Oxford University, in his dealings with Buckingham. Reid Robinson Regina