Students and faculty are speaking out about proposed changes to universities.
The new bill would let the province appoint up to half of a school’s board members. It would also link a university’s funding choices to government priorities.
Teresa Workman, spokesperson for the Association of Nova Scotia University Teachers, said this is shocking.
“It carries profound consequences that threaten the very foundation of academic independence and university autonomy,” said Workman.
She spoke at the Public Bill Committee meeting, which happened at the legislature on Monday.
The president of the association also spoke. Scott Stewart said this can “stack the deck” in a way that does not necessarily look at what is best for the school. He also said the province did not consult teachers before the bill was passed.
“Research priorities need to stay safely in the hands of the researchers and scientists who can objectively identify the merits of each project,” said Stewart.
The province said the bill is supposed to hold schools more accountable for how they spend taxpayer dollars.
