Frances Widdowson — a Mount Royal University (MRU) professor fired for questioning “woke” ideas — is pursuing legal action to protect “academic freedom and free speech” in universities..Widdowson, a professor in the Department of Economics, Justice and Policy Studies, was fired in December..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.”.“Any professor who challenges the sacred cows of woke-ism will be ostracized and then eventually targeted for dismissal.” .The Western Standard spoke with Widdowson in September 2020, when the professor became more public with her pushback against the “woke” crowd..“I have been fighting this for 12 years,” said Widdowson then..“We are at a time where anytime someone disagrees with something, people feel they should suffer consequences.”.At the time, Widdowson said 41 fellow faculty members in various fields were against her, but said she was grateful her superiors at the school hadn’t spoken to her about her positions..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..“The university unequivocally supports academic debate and will always defend the rights of faculty related to academic freedom. However, academic freedom does not justify harassment or discrimination.”.“Mount Royal employees have the right to work in an environment that is respectful and free from harassment. The collective agreement and MRU policies outline a process for resolving issues of workplace conduct, and decisions are always made following rigorous due process.”.Widdowson said university policies are becoming “weapons of woke-ism.” These policies “turn intellectual disagreements into matters for investigation and disciplinary action,” she said..Widdowson pointed to a tweet she posted satirizing a cartoon about “misgendering fatigue” found by an MRU-hired investigator and used to claim she had violated three policies and two laws. She said no legal rationale was provided to her for the university’s conclusions..“As a result of the weaponization of these policies, hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds are being spent by universities to police the private social media activities of professors,” said Widdowson..Widdowson said she is seeking help with funding for legal services and research assistance to “ensure that procedural fairness and free speech are protected at universities.”.Although her union is taking her case to arbitration in January 2023, Widdowson said, “it also has been impacted by woke-ism” requiring her to seek additional support fighting her case..“A successful arbitration decision will mean that universities will think twice before punishing dissenters and critical thinkers,” said Widdowson suggesting contributions to her legal fight will help lead to a more likely open arbitration hearing where “everyone can see how universities have been engaged in censorship and intimidation.”.Widdowson’s FundRazr campaign started on Friday has already seen more than $5,300 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.,mrisdon@westernstandard.news,.Twitter: @MelRisdon
Frances Widdowson — a Mount Royal University (MRU) professor fired for questioning “woke” ideas — is pursuing legal action to protect “academic freedom and free speech” in universities..Widdowson, a professor in the Department of Economics, Justice and Policy Studies, was fired in December..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.”.“Any professor who challenges the sacred cows of woke-ism will be ostracized and then eventually targeted for dismissal.” .The Western Standard spoke with Widdowson in September 2020, when the professor became more public with her pushback against the “woke” crowd..“I have been fighting this for 12 years,” said Widdowson then..“We are at a time where anytime someone disagrees with something, people feel they should suffer consequences.”.At the time, Widdowson said 41 fellow faculty members in various fields were against her, but said she was grateful her superiors at the school hadn’t spoken to her about her positions..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..“The university unequivocally supports academic debate and will always defend the rights of faculty related to academic freedom. However, academic freedom does not justify harassment or discrimination.”.“Mount Royal employees have the right to work in an environment that is respectful and free from harassment. The collective agreement and MRU policies outline a process for resolving issues of workplace conduct, and decisions are always made following rigorous due process.”.Widdowson said university policies are becoming “weapons of woke-ism.” These policies “turn intellectual disagreements into matters for investigation and disciplinary action,” she said..Widdowson pointed to a tweet she posted satirizing a cartoon about “misgendering fatigue” found by an MRU-hired investigator and used to claim she had violated three policies and two laws. She said no legal rationale was provided to her for the university’s conclusions..“As a result of the weaponization of these policies, hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds are being spent by universities to police the private social media activities of professors,” said Widdowson..Widdowson said she is seeking help with funding for legal services and research assistance to “ensure that procedural fairness and free speech are protected at universities.”.Although her union is taking her case to arbitration in January 2023, Widdowson said, “it also has been impacted by woke-ism” requiring her to seek additional support fighting her case..“A successful arbitration decision will mean that universities will think twice before punishing dissenters and critical thinkers,” said Widdowson suggesting contributions to her legal fight will help lead to a more likely open arbitration hearing where “everyone can see how universities have been engaged in censorship and intimidation.”.Widdowson’s FundRazr campaign started on Friday has already seen more than $5,300 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.,mrisdon@westernstandard.news,.Twitter: @MelRisdon
