A former Calgary professor says she’s going to go forward with a controversial lecture on the College of Lethbridge (U of L) campus this week, though the college says it will not provide an area for it.
Frances Widdowson made headlines in 2020 when she claimed that residential faculties had instructional advantages.
In 2021, she was fired from her tenured place at Mount Royal College (MRU) as a consequence of allegations of office harassment and intimidation.
Her case is in arbitration and MRU advised World Information the matter stays confidential.
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Widdowson was invited by a professor on the College of Lethbridge to offer a classroom lecture on mindfulness, which sparked controversy amongst college students and college.
An announcement from president Mike Mahon final week defended educational freedom and warranted Widdowson’s ideologies don’t align with the college.
Frances first met with World Information early Monday morning, because the lecture was nonetheless deliberate.
“I am very grateful that individuals are not going to cancel the speak, that the president is adamant about not canceling,” Widdowson stated. “I feel it is an ideal victory that it occurred as a result of there would have been different instances that it might have been canceled.”
However by the top of the morning, the college canceled her speak.
The U of L launched the next up to date assertion:
“Right this moment I write with an essential replace to the assertion I issued Thursday relating to a controversial speaker invited by one in all our school members to offer a chat on campus,” stated President and Vice Chancellor Mike Mahon. “You may learn that assertion right here.
“In that assertion, I addressed the worth and necessity of freedom of expression and our robust dedication to it. However importantly, I highlighted there are limits to freedom of expression. In assessing these limits, the college should take note of the protection of our various neighborhood.
“Over the previous few days, and upon studying of this lecture, we have now sought steering from these with vital cultural, scientific, sectoral and authorized experience, together with ongoing steering from the Vice Provost, Indigenous Relations and others. We’ve additionally obtained vital enter from the communities we serve — internally and externally. This enter confirmed that claims that search to attenuate the numerous and adversarial affect of Canada’s residential college system are dangerous.
“In 2019, the college developed a press release that ensured a dedication to free expression on our campus. Our assertion acknowledges that the college should be capable of moderately regulate the usage of services, time, place and method of expression.
“To make sure that our neighborhood is secure, within the context of this deliberate lecture, the college is not going to present area for this public lecture to happen on campus.
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“Our college’s Blackfoot title is Iniskim, which suggests Holy Buffalo Stone. We’re dedicated to the calls to motion of the Fact and Reconciliation Fee (TRC) of Canada. Clearly, the hurt related to this speak is an obstacle to significant reconciliation.
“Indigenous folks have and proceed to play an undeniably impactful function in shaping the College of Lethbridge we all know right this moment. A continued dedication to offering a secure place for our various neighborhood, together with our school, our employees, and particularly our college students, is important to permitting us all to contribute to the evolution and progress of the College of Lethbridge,” stated the assertion.
Widdowson stated her theories don’t negate the hurt of residential faculties and spoke to World Information once more after the cancellation.
“The worst factor that is occurring right here is that indigenous individuals are being performed a horrible injustice as a result of they’re being advised that they are so fragile that they can not interact with arguments they do not agree with,” Widdowson stated.
Frances later introduced in a Fb publish that she could be giving her lecture within the U Corridor atrium as an alternative.
“I can’t again down; I’ll struggle it to the top,” stated Widdowson.
The U of L advised World Information late Monday afternoon that it was not but in a position to touch upon Widdowson’s plan to maneuver ahead together with her lecture.
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