Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship

Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship

Founded	1992
Purpose	Maintaining freedom in teaching, research and scholarship
Location	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Area served	Canada
President	Mark Mercer
Key people	Clive Seligman (Past President) John J. Furedy (Past President) Doreen Kimura (Past President)
Website	safs.ca

The Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship (SAFS) is a Canadian non-profit organization founded to promote academic freedom and intellectual excellence on Canadian university campuses. It opposes campus speech codes, political and religious tests for academic hiring, hate-speech legislation that restricts academic freedom, and non-merit-based affirmative action in university hiring. The society also works to promote reasoned debate on a wide range of issues relating to academic freedom and scholarly excellence. Although its membership is open to the general public, the society is composed mostly of faculty and students from Canadian universities.

Mandate and Goals

In its first newsletter, the Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship (SAFS) listed its central goals as being the defense of intellectual freedom and the promotion of academic excellence. Specifically, it listed the society's founding purposes as being

"(1) To resist the ideological misuse of teaching and scholarship, (2) To support rigorous standards in research and teaching in university hiring practices, and (3) To preserve academic freedom and the free exchange of ideas, regardless of popular doctrine."

Beginning in 2001, the society began advertising its main purpose as helping to maintain "freedom in teaching, research and scholarship" and helping to defend "high standards of excellence in academic decision making concerning both students and faculty".

Founding Members

Established in 1992 in London, Ontario, the society's initial membership included the following academic officers:

• Doreen Kimura, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), President
• Douglas N. Jackson, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Secretary-Treasurer
• Judy Wubnig, PhD (Philosophy, University of Waterloo), Newsletter Editor
• C. Davison Ankney, PhD (Zoology, University of Western Ontario)
• John J. Furedy, PhD (Psychology, University of Toronto).

Funding

The Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship is financed solely by membership fees and voluntary donations.

SAFS Newsletter

Since its founding, the Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship has published a regular tri-annual newsletter, originally entitled the Society for Academic Freedom & Scholarship Newsletter, later renamed the SAFS Newsletter. The Newsletter contains news articles and commentary relating to issues in higher education.

The first issue appeared in May, 1992. It contained articles by Judy Wubnig and John Furedy, as well as announcements from the Board of Directors.

Editors of the Newsletter have been as follows:

• 1992-1994: Judy Wubnig, PhD (Philosophy, University of Waterloo)
• 1994-2000: Christine Furedy, DPhil (Urban Studies, York University)
• 2000-2004: Nancy K. Innis, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
• 2004-2015: Clive Seligman, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
• 2015-present: Mark Mercer, PhD (Philosophy, Saint Mary’s University).

Other Activities and Influence

Throughout its history, SAFS has been vocal in its opposition to policies it believes are inconsistent with the goals of an open, meritocratic, academic community. It is in this context that it has spoken out against campus speech codes, hate-speech legislation that impinges on academic freedom, religious and political tests used in place of strictly academic criteria in university hiring, and non-merit-based affirmative action programs for the hiring of university faculty and librarians.

The society has also aspired to promote reasoned debate on a wide range of cases and issues relating to academic freedom and scholarship quite broadly. In addition to sponsoring conferences and panel discussions, the society makes publicly available on its official website most of its correspondence concerning cases it has been involved with. The correspondence, which often includes replies from university administrators, union representatives and others, gives helpful insight into a large variety of important Canadian cases relating to academic freedom.

According to National Post columnist Barbara Kay, the society itself is composed of "accomplished, disinterested, ruthlessly honest academics united in visceral contempt for those of their peers who are willing to bend and manipulate the truth to serve their ideological ends."

Unlike some other non-profit societies with similar goals, SAFS has been as much concerned with the academic freedom of university students as it has with the academic freedom of university faculty.

For several years the society recognized important contributions to academic freedom through the Furedy Academic Freedom Award. Established by John and Christine Furedy in honour of Bela and Dusi Furedy, the award recognized members of the university community, both students and faculty, who have championed academic freedom.

Keynote speakers at the society's annual general meetings have included Globe and Mail columnist Margaret Wente, National Post columnist Barbara Kay, Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) executive director James Turk, National Association of Scholars presidents Stephen Balch and Peter Wood, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education presidents Alan Kors and Greg Lukianoff, Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms president John Carpay, York University historian Jack Granatstein, University of Toronto clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson, University of Chicago historian Rachel Fulton Brown and Concordia University rector and vice-chancellor Frederick Lowy.

Since its founding, the society has regularly been called on by the media to comment on cases relating to academic freedom across Canada.

Boards of Directors

The current board of directors is composed as follows:

• Mark Mercer, PhD (Philosophy, Saint Mary’s University), President since 2015
• Janice Fiamengo, PhD (English, University of Ottawa)
• Andrew Irvine, PhD (Economics, Philosophy and Political Science, University of British Columbia)
• Steve Lupker, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario)
• Clive Seligman, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Past President
• Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia)
• Robert Thomas, MA, MLIS (Librarian, University of Regina)
• Frances Widdowson, PhD (Economics, Justice and Policy Studies, Mount Royal University).

Past presidents of the society have been

• Clive Seligman, University of Western Ontario (2000-2015)
• Doreen Kimura, Simon Fraser University (1998-2000)
• John J. Furedy, University of Toronto (1993–98)
• Doreen Kimura, University of Western Ontario (1992–93).

Previous boards of directors have had the following members:

1992-1993

Doreen Kimura, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), President; Claude Davison Ankney, PhD (Zoology, University of Western Ontario); John J. Furedy, PhD (Psychology, University of Toronto); Douglas N. Jackson, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of Western Ontario); Judy Wubnig, PhD (Philosophy, University of Waterloo)

1993-1994

John J. Furedy, PhD (Psychology, University of Toronto), President; Doreen Kimura, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Past President; Ian Hunter, LLD (Law, University of Western Ontario); Philip Sullivan, PhD (Engineering, University of Toronto); Judy Wubnig, PhD (Philosophy, University of Waterloo)

1994

John J. Furedy, PhD (Psychology, University of Toronto), President; Doreen Kimura, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Past President; Phil Sullivan, PhD (Engineering, University of Toronto); Judy Wubnig, PhD (Philosophy, University of Waterloo)

1994-1996

John J. Furedy, PhD (Psychology, University of Toronto), President; Philip Davis, PhD (Religious Studies, University of Prince Edward Island); J.L. Granatstein, PhD FRSC (History, York University); Ruth Gruhn, PhD (Anthropology, University of Alberta); Doreen Kimura, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Past President; Philip Sullivan, PhD (Engineering, University of Toronto); Judy Wubnig, PhD (Philosophy, University of Waterloo)

1996-1997

John J. Furedy, PhD (Psychology, University of Toronto), President; Philip Davis, PhD (Religious Studies, University of Prince Edward Island); J.L. Granatstein, PhD FRSC (History, York University); Ruth Gruhn, PhD (Anthropology, University of Alberta); Doreen Kimura, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Past President; Murray Miles, PhD (Philosophy, Brock University); Peter Suedfeld, PhD., FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia); Philip Sullivan, PhD (Engineering, University of Toronto)

1997-1998

John J. Furedy, PhD (Psychology, University of Toronto), President; Ruth Gruhn, PhD (Anthropology, University of Alberta); Doreen Kimura, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Past President; Paul Marantz, PhD (Political Science, University of British Columbia); Murray Miles, PhD (Philosophy, Brock University); Harvey Shulman, MA (Political Science and Liberal Arts College, Concordia University); Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia); Philip Sullivan, PhD (Engineering, University of Toronto)

1998

Doreen Kimura, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, Simon Fraser University), President; John J. Furedy, PhD (Psychology, University of Toronto), Past President; Kenneth Hilborn, PhD (History, University of Western Ontario); Paul Marantz, PhD (Political Science, University of British Columbia); Murray Miles, PhD (Philosophy, Brock University); Harvey Shulman, MA (Political Science and Liberal Arts College, Concordia University); Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia); Philip Sullivan, PhD (Engineering, University of Toronto)

1998-2000

Doreen Kimura, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, Simon Fraser University), President; Dale Beyerstein, MA (Philosophy, Langara College); John J. Furedy, PhD (Psychology, University of Toronto), Past President; Kenneth Hilborn, PhD (History, University of Western Ontario); Paul Marantz, PhD (Political Science, University of British Columbia); Clive Seligman, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario); Harvey Shulman, MA (Political Science and Liberal Arts College, Concordia University); Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia)

2000-2001

Clive Seligman, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), President; Dale Beyerstein, MA (Philosophy, Langara College); John J. Furedy, PhD (Psychology, University of Toronto); Doreen Kimura, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, Simon Fraser University), Past President; Paul Marantz, PhD (Political Science, University of British Columbia); Murray Miles, PhD (Philosophy, Brock University); Harvey Shulman, MA (Political Science and Liberal Arts College, Concordia University); Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia)

2001-2002

Clive Seligman, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), President; Dale Beyerstein, MA (Philosophy, Langara College); Tom Flanagan, PhD, FRSC (Political Science, University of Calgary); Steve Lupker, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario); Murray Miles, PhD (Philosophy, Brock University); Philip Resnick, PhD (Political Science, University of British Columbia); Harvey Shulman, MA (Political Science and Liberal Arts College, Concordia University); Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia)

2002-2003

Clive Seligman, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), President; Grant Brown, DPhil, LLB; Tom Flanagan, PhD, FRSC (Political Science, University of Calgary); Andrew Irvine, PhD (University of British Columbia); Steve Lupker, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario); Philip Resnick, PhD (Political Science, University of British Columbia); Harvey Shulman, MA (Political Science and Liberal Arts College, Concordia University); Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia)

2003

Clive Seligman, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), President; Grant Brown, DPhil, LLB; Tom Flanagan, PhD, FRSC (Political Science, University of Calgary); Andrew Irvine, PhD (University of British Columbia); Steve Lupker, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario); Harvey Shulman, MA (Political Science and Liberal Arts College, Concordia University); Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia)

2003-2004

Clive Seligman, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), President; Grant Brown, DPhil, LLB; Tom Flanagan, PhD, FRSC (Political Science, University of Calgary); Andrew Irvine, PhD (University of British Columbia); Steve Lupker, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario); John Mueller, PhD (Psychology, University of Calgary); Harvey Shulman, MA (Political Science and Liberal Arts College, Concordia University); Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia)

2004-2005

Clive Seligman, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), President; Grant Brown, DPhil, LLB; Tom Flanagan, PhD, FRSC (Political Science, University of Calgary); Andrew Irvine, PhD (University of British Columbia); Steve Lupker, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario); John Mueller, PhD (Psychology, University of Calgary); Harvey Shulman, MA (Political Science and Liberal Arts College, Concordia University); Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia)

2006

Clive Seligman, PhD. (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), President; Grant Brown, DPhil, LLB; Tom Flanagan, PhD, FRSC (Political Science, University of Calgary); Andrew Irvine, PhD (University of British Columbia); Steve Lupker, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario); John Mueller, PhD (Psychology, University of Calgary); Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia);

2006-2009

Clive Seligman, PhD. (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), President; Grant Brown, DPhil, LLB; Tom Flanagan, PhD, FRSC (Political Science, University of Calgary); Andrew Irvine, PhD (University of British Columbia); Steve Lupker, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario); John Mueller, PhD (Psychology, University of Calgary); Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia); Marty Wall, PhD, (Psychology, University of Toronto)

2009-2015

Clive Seligman, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), President; Rodney Clifton, PhD (Education, University of Manitoba); Tom Flanagan, PhD, FRSC (Political Science, University of Calgary); Andrew Irvine, PhD (University of British Columbia); Steve Lupker, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario); Mark Mercer, PhD (Philosophy, Saint Mary’s University); John Mueller, PhD (Psychology, University of Calgary); Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia)

2015-2016

Mark Mercer, PhD (Philosophy, Saint Mary’s University), President; Rodney Clifton, PhD (Education, University of Manitoba); Tom Flanagan, PhD, FRSC (Political Science, University of Calgary); Andrew Irvine, PhD (University of British Columbia); Steve Lupker, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario); John Mueller, PhD (Psychology, University of Calgary); Clive Seligman, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Past President; Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia)

2016-2019

Mark Mercer, PhD (Philosophy, Saint Mary’s University), President; Janice Fiamengo, PhD (English, University of Ottawa); Tom Flanagan, PhD, FRSC (Political Science, University of Calgary); Andrew Irvine, PhD (University of British Columbia); Steve Lupker, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario); John Mueller, PhD (Psychology, University of Calgary); Clive Seligman, PhD (Psychology, University of Western Ontario), Past President; Peter Suedfeld, PhD, FRSC (Psychology, University of British Columbia).

See also

• Academic Freedom
• Academic tenure
• Chicago principles
• Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE)
• National Association of Scholars (NAS)

External links

• Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship (official website)