Thursday, September 21, 2006
Maclean's has filed Freedom of Information requests with Trent University seeking previously available information Trent President Bonnie Patterson now says will not be released to Maclean's. Twenty-one other publicly funded Canadian universities that refused to provide Maclean's with data have been similarly served in provinces where they are subject to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy acts. "as public institutions, universities have the responsibility to make this information publicly available," says Tony Keller, Maclean's managing editor, special projects. Patterson has always been quick to cite favourable Maclean's ratings but on august 30 2006 announced that Trent would not participate in this year's Maclean's survey. Trent's Maclean's ratings have fallen in recent years. Last October Patterson began a two-year term as chair of the association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (aUCC), the lobby group for Canadian universities.
Patterson's letter to Keller cites her reasoning for Trent's refusal to provide Maclean's with the data, however condescendingly that position may have been stated. We cannot help but assume Patterson's views are reflective of those given by other universities, given the cross-pollination with aUCC.
Keller aptly states "Freedom of Information legislation was created to ensure openness and accountability. I am hopeful that most universities, being institutions that are in favour of openness and the free exchange of ideas, will respect the law and make this information public, as they always have in the past."
Trent's drop in Maclean's ratings was one reason Patterson receiving a mark of "D" under the heading "Enhance the university's image" in a Grade Report on her first term's performance prepared and published by Trentaction in January of 2003 prior to the review by the "official" advisory Committee to Review the Presidency.
One could be forgiven for thinking there might be some sour grapes involved in refusing to release information to Maclean's.
at any rate, kudos are due to Keller and Maclean's for pursuing the matter through Freedom of Information requests. This is particularly so in Ontario where universities have only just become subject to Ontario's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy act this past June 10. Maclean's may just be leading the pack.
Pursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 107, other copyrighted work is provided for educational purposes, research, critical comment, or debate without profit or payment. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for your own purposes beyond the 'fair use' exception, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 1997-2024 the individual authors. Site Copyright 1997-2024 Canada Free Press.Com Privacy Statement