Blathering on in Krisendom, a Satirical Sculpture by George Rammell, Department of Studio Art, Capilano University
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Report of the Ad Hoc Investigatory Committee On the Seizure & Dismantling of Blathering On in Krisendom, a Satirical Sculpture by George Rammell, Department of Studio Art, Capilano University June 2015 Report of the Ad Hoc Investigatory Committee on the Seizure & Dismantling of Blathering On in Krisendom, a Satirical Sculpture by George Rammell, Department of Studio Art, Capilano University Jason Brown Lecturer, Department of English as a Second Language, Thompson Rivers University Terri Van Steinburg Instructor, Department of Career Choices and Life Success, Kwantlen Polytechnic University © 2015 Canadian Association of University Teachers 2705 Queensview Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K2B 8K2 \\ 613-820-2270 \\ www.caut.ca Report \\ Blathering On in Krisendom \ George Rammell \ Capilano University June 2015 Contents 1| Introduction Terms of Reference Interviews Conducted Documentation & Source Material 2| Chronology Events Surrounding the Seizure of the Sculpture Events Leading Up to the Seizure Protests & the Administration’s Reaction George Rammell’s Sculpture Seizure & Dismantling of the Sculpture 3| Analysis Harassment Academic Freedom Academic Freedom & the University’s Respectful Learning & Working Environment Policy Larger Issues for the Capilano University Academic Community Arising from these Events 4| Recommendations Recommendations for the Capilano University Administration Recommendations for the Capilano University Faculty Association Recommendations for the Canadian Association of University Teachers Appendix A CAUT \\ Ad Hoc Investigatory Committee 3 Report \\ Blathering On in Krisendom \ George Rammell \ Capilano University June 2015 1| Introduction Terms of Reference In May 2014, the authors of this report were asked by . Joanne Quirk, Capilano University Faculty the then Canadian Association of University Teachers Association Past President (CAUT) Executive Director, Dr. James Turk, to form an . Peter Matthews, Capilano University Facilities staff Ad Hoc Investigatory Committee under the guidelines in member Section 6 of the CAUT Procedures in Academic Freedom Cases.† The Committee was asked to undertake an . Ben Lee, Studio Art Technician at Capilano University investigation into the seizure of a sculpture created by Capilano University faculty member, George Rammell. Laurel Whitney, Women’s and Gender Studies Instructor at Capilano University Dr. Turk provided the Committee with written correspondence with Mr. Rammell and other relevant . Jennifer O’Keeffe, Studio Art Student at Capilano background information. University The terms of reference for the investigation are as . Sacha Fabry, Capilano Student Union VP University follows: Relations and Services . To investigate the circumstances surrounding the . Brittany Barnes, Capilano Student Union VP seizure of George Rammell’s sculpture; External To determine those responsible for the seizure; . Christopher Girodat, Capilano Student Union . General Manager . To determine whether George Rammell’s academic freedom was violated; . Robert Belton , Creative and Critical Studies Associate Professor at University of British Columbia . To address any larger issues for the Capilano academic community arising from these events; and Okanagan . To make any appropriate recommendations. The following individuals were invited to participate in the investigation, but declined the invitation to meet with the Committee: Interviews Conducted The following individuals were interviewed as part of . Jane Shackell, Chair, Capilano University Board of the Ad Hoc Committee’s investigation: Directors . George Rammell, Studio Art Instructor at Capilano . Kris Bulcroft, President, Capilano University University . Brent Calvert, Capilano University Faculty Association President † CAUT, http://bit.ly/1GOLz3Y CAUT \\ Ad Hoc Investigatory Committee 4 Report \\ Blathering On in Krisendom \ George Rammell \ Capilano University June 2015 Documentation & Source Material In addition to the above-mentioned interviews, the Committee relied on video recordings of the following important events at Capilano University: April 29, 2013 on campus public forum to discuss the program cuts. May 10, 2013 Birch Theatre public forum on program cuts. June 12, 2013 Presentation by then Capilano Faculty Association President Mark Battersby. May 23, 2014 Special Board of Governors meeting on budget. The Committee also relied on audio recordings of the following: May 13, 2014 CBC Radio show On the Coast, which included interview with George Rammell. May 14, 2014 CBC Radio show On the Coast, which included interviews with Capilano University Board Chair Jane Shackell and Capilano University English Instructor Ryan Knighton. May 15, 2014 CBC Radio show On the Coast, which included interview with Capilano Students’ Union representative Brittany Barnes. Finally, the Committee gathered written sources such as University Policies, the Collective Agreement, statements from George Rammell and other faculty colleagues, and stories retrieved from print media. CAUT \\ Ad Hoc Investigatory Committee 5 Report \\ Blathering On in Krisendom \ George Rammell \ Capilano University June 2015 2| Chronology Events Surrounding Events Leading Up to the Seizure the Seizure of the Sculpture To fully understand the context in which Professor On the morning of Thursday, May 8, 2014, Capilano Rammell’s sculpture was seized, it is necessary to review University Studio Art instructor George Rammell prior events that had transpired at the University. In the arrived at the sculpture area of the Studio Art Spring of 2013, students, staff, and faculty at Capilano Department to begin his workday. He discovered that learned of the Administration’s plan to eliminate one of his sculptures, Blathering On in Krisendom, was programs and courses in studio and textile art, computer missing from the studio. The artwork was a satirical science, interactive design, and adult basic education. caricature of University President and Vice-Chancellor This was announced three days before the end of the Kris Bulcroft, along with her poodle Margeaux, draped term, and two weeks before the University Board was to in an American flag. Fearing that the sculpture had been vote on the planned cuts. stolen, Rammell immediately called campus security. He Senior administrators attempted to justify the cuts based was informed that security had received a directive from on what they projected was a $1.3 million shortfall in the the University Administration to confiscate his artwork University’s $89 million budget.* To avoid a deficit, the and remove it from campus. Administration prepared a draft budget for the 2013-14 Rammell continued to investigate the removal of his fiscal year that included discontinuance of the courses sculpture. He reported the suspected theft to the RCMP. and programs noted above. It appears that the A file was opened and an investigation began. Rammell Administration did not consult with the University’s also reported the removal of his artwork to the Capilano Senate on the course and program cuts, even though the Faculty Association (CFA) and they in turn sought Capilano Faculty Association informed the guidance from CAUT. Administration that consultation with Senate is required under the provincial University Act. Section 35.2 (6) (b) of Rammell subsequently learned that Capilano University the Act states that the senate of a special purpose, Board Chair, Jane Shackell,† had ordered the seizure of teaching university such as Capilano must advise the his artwork, and that the acrylic polymer sculpture had board, and the board must seek advice, on educational been cut into pieces during its removal. Ms. Shackell policy matters including, the establishment, revision or later stated that she alone had … concluded that the repeated discontinuance of courses and programs at the special purpose, display of this object on campus amounted to personal teaching university. harassment [of the University President] and ordered it to be removed.‡ † Jane Shackell became Board Chair on August 13, 2013. * Crawford Killian, “Cuts at Cap U: Is Worse to Come?” The Tyee. ‡ Capilano University Special Board Meeting, May 23, 2014. May 1, 2013. http://bit.ly/1dN3otg. CAUT \\ Ad Hoc Investigatory Committee 6 Report \\ Blathering On in Krisendom \ George Rammell \ Capilano University June 2015 Capilano University President and Vice-Chancellor, Kris Protests & the Bulcroft, claimed that consultation with the Senate was Administration’s Reaction not required. She indicated that the Administration was Throughout the period of the controversy over the using processes that were established by the University Act as planned program and course cuts, many students, staff, well as our own Senate and Board … [and we] did not deviate and faculty at Capilano University organized from those processes.† demonstrations and other events to protest the Administration’s actions. Artistic expression was a key The Federation of Post-Secondary Educators (FPSE), on part of the protests. Students who had created and behalf of the Capilano Faculty Association, filed for and displayed various sculptures on campus decided to was granted an injunction temporarily suspending the register their displeasure with the Administration by Board vote on the program cuts on the grounds that the either publically destroying their art works, or covering Administration had violated section 35.2 of the them in black tarps to symbolize what they termed the University Act. The budget authorizing program cuts was