I am writing this commentary in the wake of mass termination that has occurred at Laurentian University.
According to communications provided on behalf of the Office of the President, this was the most effective strategy outlined by the CCACC in order to maintain campus operations and stave off imminent closure.
The result of the combined decisions of Laurentian advisors, committee members, and the CCAA has left an indelible mark against the integrity of Laurentian University. The dismissal of professors, administrators and support staff have rattled the foundation of the academic force of the North.
The strength of any academic institution is predicated on the knowledge, experience, talent, and research of its professional core. What was once the centre for academic excellence in Northern Ontario has now fallen into mediocrity.
Personally, the loss of Dr. Cynthia Whissell, Dr. Paul Valliant, and Prof. Stan Koren has crippled an entire department and those ripples extend to the community. This is only a fraction of the loss experienced and other departments have experienced their own pangs of loss.
Dr. Cynthia Whissell was, and still is, a pioneer in her field of research. She developed and extensively researched a tool, designed to quantify the emotional content of text at a time when academe was dominated by men.
Prof. Koren was responsible for the development and patenting of remarkable instruments, including devices capable of stopping cancer tumor growth as well as the famous Koren (God) Helmet that has been featured in several television programs, putting Laurentian on the map. Dr. Valliant is an expert in the field of forensic psychology. His work throughout his career has shone light on the nature of criminal behaviour and has identified best practices to reduce future crime that are currently being used in detention centres across Canada. He single-handedly introduced counselling interventions to local detention centres at a time when it was believed criminals could not be rehabilitated.
These three examples have influenced hundreds of thousands of Laurentian students throughout their respective careers. They provided students with the knowledge and training necessary for them to be successful in their respective pursuits and proudly identify as graduates of Laurentian University.
Although they are but three examples of faculty members terminated in the restructuring, they speak volumes as to what Laurentian has lost in terms of academic training.
I have been a student of Laurentian University for 10 years and in that time I have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and a Ph.D., and am currently undertaking a second Master’s in Applied Psychology.
During my studies I have had the good fortune of working with and learning from a number of faculty members whom I would consider inspirational mentors prior to these proceedings. I had proudly endorsed and advocated Laurentian as “the university” to attend and complete a degree.
At present, I am disgusted with the myopic decision-making of Laurentian advisors, committee members and the CCAA process. I am ashamed to have received degrees from an institution that selectively terminated individuals based on age, seniority and financial earnings rather than on merit and productivity.
These choices will have lasting consequences to current and future students. Future students and those registered in first and second year programs are being urged to consider alternatives. “Abandon all hope those who enter here” is the sense that is being experienced by all students of this once-great university.
Trevor N. Carniello, Ph.D.
Sudbury
