Wanda Orion

2017-11-12 11:09:25 -0500

Actually Moose he was already quite well-known in academic circles for his teaching before he became a news item. But it was actually what happened AFTER he refused to speak compelled gibberish that made him famous. You see, the normal course of events if an instructor offends some little snowflakes in one of our institutions of higher learning goes something like this: The accused offender is summoned to a meeting with the department Chair and maybe the Dean of the Faculty in which he’s based and a weaselly Academic Employee Relations bureaucrat, and at that time the riot act is read about his entirely inappropriate, insensitive (and numerous other words that begin in “in”) behaviour. An ultimatum is given regarding the desired acts of contrition (which might include an apology – written out and approved by the ptb, to be read out in class and published in some form where it is likely to cause maximum humiliation). The accused is urged to agree to the penalty for the good of the institution and his career and typically agrees. A sanctimonious letter would be placed in his personnel record with a stern warning as to what will happen if there is any repetition of the offending behaviour. Not many faculty members would tell the ptb to go f themselves (although I’m sure he put it more eloquently), particularly at a time when they’re within a few years of retirement.



Now in Peterson’s case I’m assuming he’s tenured so it would be more difficult for UofT to get rid of him but never underestimate the audacity of bureaucrats on a mission.

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