But what do placards demanding “Academic freedom now!” actually mean, and why has the principle been a major stumbling block since faculty at the province’s 24 colleges went on strike five weeks ago? The colleges, however, say they do recognize academic freedom — but won’t give faculty exclusive control. But while she has called academic freedom “the crux” of quality education, the colleges argue it’s a power grab by faculty. “Faculty have the central voice in academic decision-making but not the only voice,” says an overview of the council’s offer. Ontario college students lent support to striking faculty members Oct. 25 at a rally outside the province’s advanced education ministry in Toronto.

Source: thestar November 17, 2017 00:22 UTC