I want to express my admiration for the fine manner in which you have covered the controversy over President Chakma in Western News. Dealing with such an issue in the university’s newspaper is a delicate challenge and I believe you have met it with discernment and fairness, rendering an important service to the university community.
As a long-retired faculty member and senior administrator, committed to Western for nearly a half century, I have been deeply concerned by the recent turmoil but also sensed that I was not fully in touch with all the issues and feelings ignited by the dismay over President Chakma’s pay. I have reflected long and hard on the crisis on campus, and Western News‘ reportage, giving voice to the faculty disgruntlement through extracts from Chakma’s public critics and professors Conway and Clark’s impassioned article (“Nothing personal, but it’s time to go,” Western News, April 16), has greatly added to that reflection.
At the same time, I appreciated the reporting on the president’s recognition of errors of judgment and priorities, his contrition and his determination to spend the rest of his mandate in a concerted effort to pursue objectives that will continue to serve both the academic values of the university and the means of achieving them. He has already vigorously, and evidently with some effectiveness, begun the task of listening to and learning from his constituents.
None of the goals and groups comprising this fine institution will be well served by continued back-biting. I had the privilege of working closely with four presidents and, whatever my predilections for one or another, none was flawless. Though recent events have led to a more spectacular crisis, let us not exploit it further to the detriment of ongoing progress. We have a leader, also with flaws, but of proven talent and capacity, which is why he was selected in the first place. My contact with him has been limited, but left me with the impression of a leader with energy and vision. Let us help re-channel that energy and vision in ways that serve us all well. It is time for healing.
Thank you again for your own contribution to the process.
Thomas N. Guinsburg
Professor emeritus