In the wake of an MRU professor being fired for questioning "woke ideas," Alberta's Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides said he expects post-secondary institutions to follow free speech policies..Frances Widdowson, a professor in the Department of Economics, Justice and Policy Studies, was fired from MRU in December and is now pursuing legal action to protect “academic freedom and free speech” in universities..Calling her case an “egregious violation of my academic freedom and freedom of expression rights,” Widdowson said she believes “woke-ism” will have massive implications for the academy and lead to “the deterioration of the intellectual character of universities.”.“Woke-ism is the colloquial term used for the postmodern tactic of reducing scientific objectivity to subjective authoritarianism, imposing its arbitrary interpretation of what is acceptable,” said Widdowson in a statement..“The open exchange of ideas and the ability to debate a wide range of topics are under threat in universities today. Promoting critical thinking has been gradually overtaken by identity politics that has become totalitarian, which is the focus of woke-ism.”.The Western Standard contacted Nicolaides to inquire about a promise he and the UCP made in 2019 to bring in the "Chicago Principles" — a set of guidelines intended to protect the rights to free speech on post-secondary institution campuses..The principles — first implemented by the University of Chicago in 2014 — were adopted by Ontario universities and publicly-funded colleges in January 2019..“All publicly funded post-secondary institutions, including Mount Royal University, have developed free speech policies in alignment with the principles contained within the University of Chicago Statement on Freedom of Expression and we expect all post-secondary institutions to adhere to their free speech policies," Nicolaides said in a statement to the Western Standard.."Apart from the adoption of these policies, I am always exploring ways in which we can strengthen free speech and academic freedom on post-secondary campuses. A university campus must be a place of free and open debate and I will work to ensure Alberta remains a bastion of free speech and academic freedom.".MRU, in a statement on Expression and Free Speech on its website, said, "...within the bounds of Canadian law, university policies and collective agreements, everyone on campus should feel free to express their ideas."."This includes the right to communicate opinions and ideas without interference, censorship or sanction, including the right to engage in peaceful protest regarding the content of free speech of others," said the university in its policy statement which applies to "all members of the university community.".MRU on Friday confirmed to the Western Standard Widdowson “is no longer a faculty member” but would not provide any specific details on her firing..“MRU is committed to fostering expression and free speech, and strives to be a model for allowing opposing viewpoints to co-exist,” said the university in a statement, adding it will "always defend the rights of faculty related to academic freedom."."However, academic freedom does not justify harassment or discrimination.”.Former University of Toronto professor, Dr. Jordan Peterson, shared the Western Standard's story on Twitter quoting Widdowson saying, “Any professor who challenges the sacred cows of woke-ism will be ostracized and then eventually targeted for dismissal.”.Peterson, born and raised in Alberta, obtained his bachelor's degree in political science and psychology at the University of Alberta and went on to complete a PhD in clinical psychology at McGill University..The YouTube personality and best-selling author spent time teaching and completing research at Harvard before returning to Canada where he joined the faculty of psychology at the University of Toronto in 1998..Widdowson is now seeking help with funding for legal services and research assistance to “ensure that procedural fairness and free speech are protected at universities.”.Widdowson’s FundRazr campaign started on Friday has already seen more than $12,000 in contributions..She has also created the website WokeAcademy.Info which contains further details on her firing, resources and podcasts of Widdowson interviewing several guests on the topic of “woke-ism.”.Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.Twitter: @MelRisdon
