Comments on: Private Pretensions: The Battle for Canada’s Universities (David Noble)

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 18:34:31 +0000

Eric

Definitely, the most sensible thing i have seen in a long time.

By: Ken Megill

Ken Megill — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 20:25:24 +0000

Dave report is not surprising…

I would only point out that the difference between “public” and “private” universities, at least in the United States (and I believe in most countries) is slight.

“Private” universities are, by and large, funded by “public” monies (directly or through tax refunds to those who do fund them or can afford to attend).

“Public” universities are, by and large, controlled by “private” entities — generally in a very direct manner through boards of directors and “grant” money from private companies and so-called “not-for-profit” organizations that determines research agendaes.

I am glad to see he has not forgotten all of the Marism I tried to teach him 35 years ago when he was my student, but wish the analysis went a little deeper and looked at how we, the people, can gain control of cultural and scientific institutions, whether they be “private” or “public.”

My hunch is that supporting “public” institutions just because they are “public” is not the way to go.

By: Megan Mills

Megan Mills — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 00:57:11 +0000

Here’s to that ‘anti-Semite’, David Noble! this business of branding individuals who may raise questions as bigots seems rather common, at present. Here’s to David Noble for pointing out the fact that this is a tad unlikely in his case.
I believe that many of us having attended York for graduate studies may be described as rather pro-Semitic, if anything — AND much in favour of Noble’s questions concerning a corporate shift in the university’s governance and vision for the future. Toronto desperately needs a secular institution of radical orientation — York, at present, aint it.

Shalom! Megan S Mills PhD

By: Editor

Editor — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 22:25:32 +0000

Alex Wade makes the astute observation that events at Trent University are not that different from those of York. Mr. Wade also notes some success on the part of students to ward off corporate advertising in public spaces at Trent. However, he also notes that the administration, under Bonnie Patterson and her board, that “nothing has changed the admin’s initiatives or goals”. The situation at Trent appears to be worsening. Much of this has been documented at OurTrent.com (http:\www.ourtrent.com). OurTrent is dedicated to advocating for transparency and accountability in university governance at Trent University and beyond.

By: Alex Wade

Alex Wade — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:44:38 +0000

In such a ‘liberal’ nation as Canada, we (Canadians) are increasingly seeing the privatization of public entities. In reading the case study of York University and seeing how it relates to my university (Trent), I can see many underlying aspects that are happening due to our present administration. We have had peaceful protests that have all been discouraged by the admin. One of which has actually been broken up by police, yet whatever is done, nothing has changed the admin’s initiatives or goals. However, students have continued to fight to keep off private advertising out of public areas and have reclaimed all student space that has been deemed private by the university. This to me is a grand accomplishment, that seems to get tested every year.