ERIN HUDSON

The McGill Daily (McGill University)

MONTREAL (CUP) — Documents from McGill’s Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), many of which are marked “confidential” or “highly confidential,” were posted online on March 3 by the anonymous group McGillLeaks.

In a statement on its website, McGillLeaks announced its intention to release hundreds of documents over the next three weeks, starting with the release of DAR documents pertaining to pharmaceutical, biotechnology and defence industries. The documents can be downloaded from the McGillLeaks website.

The first release of documents contains donor and corporation profiles, correspondence pertaining to corporate funding, histories of corporate donations and relations, and industrial partnerships — notably, a Memorandum of Understanding between McGill and Canadian pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline Inc.

On its website, DAR states that its “many programs and activities help the University establish and maintain strong relationships with alumni, donors, and potential donors.” DAR employees report to vice-principal (development and alumni relations) Marc Weinstein.

In its statement, McGillLeaks verified the authenticity of the documents on its website and stated that the contents of the documents have not been altered.

McGillLeaks outlines three goals for its public release of the documents: to provide an account of a “corporate university’s inner workings,” to supply accurate information regarding McGill’s relations with the private sector and to create transparency.

“While not exhaustive in any sense, the documents are primary source material on the university’s role within the competitive market, and how it conceives of that role,” the statement reads. “We are cognizant of the fact that the methods used by McGill are similar to those of many other ‘public research universities,’ and thus are relevant not only to those with an interest in McGill,” it continues.

The university has a policy regarding safe disclosure in recognition of the “necessary and valuable service” of the “good faith reporting of improper activities (‘whistleblowing’).” The policy, approved in 2007, applies to all members of the McGill community, and such reports will not be considered cause for reprisal.

Under the policy, an improper activity is “an act or omission committed by a [member of the university community] that constitutes ‘Academic Misconduct,’ ‘Research Misconduct,’ or ‘Financial Misconduct.’”

The policy also states that, in all McGill activities, the university “seeks to promote a culture based on honest, transparent, and accountable behaviour.”

It is unknown whether the safe disclosure policy would apply to McGillLeaks.

In its statement, McGillLeaks discusses its “leak” of documents. “We do not see the leak and the new level of transparency it produces as ends in themselves. These documents are only as important as your pursuant critical analysis and initiative,” the statement reads.

McGillLeaks states it will publish submissions of documents related to McGill that are “classified, confidential, and/or not yet public.” The group advises any contributions to be made anonymously and advises against contacting the group from the McGill network.

When contacted March 5, the McGill administration was not aware of the existence of the site. TheDaily is currently waiting for a comment from the university.

This story will be updated online as new information comes to light.

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