Well, it took UofT's student-run Varsity newspaper to bring me out of blogging hibernation.
Last week, the Varsity published an article about a PhD student who rejected his diploma to protest Peter Munk's recent donation to the Munk School of Global Affairs at UofT.
I would've dismissed this as typical lefty whinging but the article was just so, so, horrible.
It seems Mr. Zoghi is upset with this recent statement from the school: “The Munk School positions U of T as a leading player in a broad range of subjects from water to cyber security.” He alleges that the school's academic direction is being determined by the donation, but can only offer that one line as proof.
"Zoghi said he feels that the company is “crushing academic freedom” and “making it difficult for academics to question the actions of the company involved,"..." Surely there are some academics at the school complaining that their work is being restricted or influenced? The Varsity doesn't mention that. Surely Mr. Zoghi can offer something more than speculation and insinuation? Can he elaborate on what exactly the company actually is doing to crush academic freedom? The Varsity doesn't ask him that.
"The graduate also took issue with conditions on Munk's donation." Ah, now we're getting somewhere, it seems that the evil rich mining guy had some conditions (egad) attached to his donation, and the Varsity "anonymously" obtained a copy of the donation agreement! What juicy details of skulduggery await us?
"...reveals that Munk's donation comes in yearly increments. Although the agreement clearly states that academic freedom is to be unhealed, the university must report to Munk every year." Oh. That's it? The agreement clearly states that academic freedom is to be unheeded? Isn't that the exact opposite of what Mr. Zoghi is alleging? The rich guy wants yearly reports on what the university does with his donation? That's it? Really?
"Zoghi is adamant that he will only take back his degree if university administration starts consulting with the wider community. “I don't want to be associated with a university whose integrity is compromised this much,” he said. “I will make every effort not to use this degree for a job.”"
Zoghi has it backwards, he shouldn't be ashamed of being associated with UofT, it should be the other way around. Based on his statement, I assume he'll never put "PhD from the University of Toronto" on his resume.
I hope the university keeps accepting donations from rich guys who want to help out. It should be noted that the same rich guy gave a lot of money to Toronto General Hospital for a new Cardiac Centre. I wonder what Mr. Zoghi's theory is on that donation? Surely there's a sinister ulterior motive? Who knows, maybe the rich guy is wants the hospital to breed a race of mutant super soldiers to help out at his mines.
All kidding aside, it's disappointing to see the Varsity uncritically publish a bunch of innuendo and speculation.
Last week, the Varsity published an article about a PhD student who rejected his diploma to protest Peter Munk's recent donation to the Munk School of Global Affairs at UofT.
I would've dismissed this as typical lefty whinging but the article was just so, so, horrible.
It seems Mr. Zoghi is upset with this recent statement from the school: “The Munk School positions U of T as a leading player in a broad range of subjects from water to cyber security.” He alleges that the school's academic direction is being determined by the donation, but can only offer that one line as proof.
"Zoghi said he feels that the company is “crushing academic freedom” and “making it difficult for academics to question the actions of the company involved,"..." Surely there are some academics at the school complaining that their work is being restricted or influenced? The Varsity doesn't mention that. Surely Mr. Zoghi can offer something more than speculation and insinuation? Can he elaborate on what exactly the company actually is doing to crush academic freedom? The Varsity doesn't ask him that.
"The graduate also took issue with conditions on Munk's donation." Ah, now we're getting somewhere, it seems that the evil rich mining guy had some conditions (egad) attached to his donation, and the Varsity "anonymously" obtained a copy of the donation agreement! What juicy details of skulduggery await us?
"...reveals that Munk's donation comes in yearly increments. Although the agreement clearly states that academic freedom is to be unhealed, the university must report to Munk every year." Oh. That's it? The agreement clearly states that academic freedom is to be unheeded? Isn't that the exact opposite of what Mr. Zoghi is alleging? The rich guy wants yearly reports on what the university does with his donation? That's it? Really?
Zoghi has it backwards, he shouldn't be ashamed of being associated with UofT, it should be the other way around. Based on his statement, I assume he'll never put "PhD from the University of Toronto" on his resume.
I hope the university keeps accepting donations from rich guys who want to help out. It should be noted that the same rich guy gave a lot of money to Toronto General Hospital for a new Cardiac Centre. I wonder what Mr. Zoghi's theory is on that donation? Surely there's a sinister ulterior motive? Who knows, maybe the rich guy is wants the hospital to breed a race of mutant super soldiers to help out at his mines.
All kidding aside, it's disappointing to see the Varsity uncritically publish a bunch of innuendo and speculation.
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