Athabasca University (AU) is Canada’s online, open university, serving students nationally and internationally.

On Feb 1, 2023, the AU President Professor Peter Scott was dismissed, without notice and without explanation, at the instigation of the Minister for Advanced Education, Government of Alberta. This was the culmination of a sustained year of government interference in the university’s academic affairs, preceded by firing and replacing several expert members of the Board who opposed this direct political interference, all of which are a matter of public record (sources below). 

Glen Jones (Professor of Higher Education, University of Toronto) declared the government’s actions as: “the most egregious political interference in a public university in Canada in more than 100 years" [1]. Note, that was prior to Prof. Scott’s dismissal. A number of Board members have declared that they were excluded from both the decision to dismiss him, and the appointment of his successor [2]. The process was kept secret from Academic and Student members of the board, and even from the university’s Provost, who was acting as president while Prof. Scott was away on bereavement leave.

[1] Glen Jones, Professor of Higher Education, University of Toronto (Quoted in: Alberta’s ‘World Class’ University Risks Collapse, Says Expert, The Tyee, Nov. 28, 2022)

[2] Athabasca U President Firing: Board Members Raise Questions (The Tyee, Feb. 2, 2023)

Invitation to add your name to the international list of signatories to this statement:

Underpinning academic freedom is the principle that university leadership should not be under the direct influence of partisan politics. The appalling magnitude of the interference of the Alberta government in Athabasca University’s affairs is therefore of deep concern to engaged citizens, AU staff and students, and the higher education community in Canada and around the world. 

Specifically, Prof. Scott’s dismissal as President is reprehensible in the extreme and contrary to AU’s values. It is seriously damaging to student and staff morale, and a dark stain on AU’s reputation. Peter Scott is held in high esteem as a visionary leader in online higher education. He has paid a very high price for his integrity and courage in robustly opposing the government’s efforts to set aside the needs of students and staff and impose their political will on the university’s strategy.

We ask that all concerned citizens, students and colleagues, in Alberta, in Canada and in the International community add their voice in opposition to this shocking case study in direct political interference in an international university.

• Please note that after signing, you can post a comment explaining why you have signed. This really brings alive how important the issue is to so many diverse citizens. You will be able to post further down on this page in the space under: Reasons for signing

Other reports and commentaries, from the mainstream media, higher education press, and AU staff and students: 

• UCP gov't gets an F for interfering in post-secondary affairs (Edmonton Journal, Feb. 17, 2023)
• President ejected as Alberta politics grows more threatening (Times Higher Education, Feb. 14, 2023)
• Students’ voices ignored by Athabasca University Board of Governors (Council of Alberta University Students, Feb. 11, 2023)
• Student voices silenced at Athabasca University Board of Governors (Athabasca University Students’ Union, Feb. 10, 2023)
• Firing at Athabasca U suggests there are now two classes of public board members in Alberta – those appointed by the UCP and those not (Alberta Politics, Feb. 4, 2023)
• Athabasca University board fires president who fought Alberta government on staff relocations (CBC, Feb. 2, 2023)
• Athabasca University bids a deeply reluctant farewell to Peter Scott in the vilest attack yet by the Albertan government (Jon Dron, AU academic, Feb. 2, 2023)
• Who shot the sheriff? Why the President of Athabasca University has gone – and why it matters (Tony Bates, Elearning Consultant, Feb. 2, 2023)
• On the proposed changes to Athabasca University [video] (Peter Scott, Aug. 7, 2022)

This petition is published by Prof. Simon Buckingham Shum (University of Technology Sydney) and Prof. Jon Dron (Athabasca University).