Image Credit: Derek Pyne

By James Peters

TRU Academic Freedom

TRU professor at centre of academic freedom controversy doesn’t see matter as settled

Nov 20, 2019 | 7:33 AM

KAMLOOPS — A Thompson Rivers University professor at the centre of a controversy surrounding academic freedom at the school says he can’t be certain the firestorm is over.

Dr. Derek Pyne of the School of Business and Economics was suspended by TRU in 2018 over what they told him were defamatory comments that damaged the school’s reputation.

The suspension came after Pyne had researched the publications by his colleagues in so-called bogus and predatory academic journals. TRU reinstated Pyne in December, 2018.

The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) investigated the controversy, and in a report released Tuesday (Nov. 19), concluded TRU suffers from ‘a broad institutional failure to recognize the breadth of academic freedom.'”

The CAUT report also chided the TRU Faculty Association (TRUFA) for its handling of Pyne’s matter. TRUFA is affiliated with CAUT.

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Image Credit: Derek Pyne

Speaking to CFJC Today, Pyne says he is pleased with the report.

“I think they went out of their way to be very procedurally fair in everything. I had been a bit worried that they would side with a fellow union and I was quite happy that they seemed to look at things objectively. I was worried because it was one union talking about another union but I was impressed.”

The CAUT report called on TRU to take several steps to safeguard academic freedom. Speaking to CFJC Today Tuesday, TRU President and Vice-Chancellor Brett Fairbairn indicated an internal committee had been struck to come up with an academic freedom policy.

Despite that move, Pyne doesn’t feel the issue has been settled.

“I don’t think so,” said Pyne. “The union just sent an email saying that CAUT was all wrong. So no, I don’t think it is (settled).”

Pyne notes he was given a letter of expectations upon his reinstatement and told his comments were damaging to the university.

He maintains the relationship with the university is still strained and he can’t be sure he won’t be suspended again.

“I don’t know. Last week, they indicated they were unhappy with a Facebook post I made during the last election,” said Pyne. “I don’t think they like the bad publicity and I think they know suspending me again would generate negative publicity, so I think I’m a bit protected because of that.”

Pyne notes teaching and being employed by TRU is “not something [he’s] crazy about,” but a family situation prevents him from considering a change of employment.

“I’m really tired of the political stuff,” said Pyne. “I have not been going to department meetings because of that and faculty council meetings. I’ve been trying to limit my service to actual committees and I’ve been trying not to engage in a lot of the politics.”