Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom Task Force

Print | PDF

Draft Terms of Reference

Fall 2024 (Last revised Dec. 17, 2024)

Mandate

The purpose of this Task Force is to take up the work started by the Freedom of Expression Task Force, further clarifying distinctions and providing recommendations for developing and/or revising policies, practices, structures, and resources to ensure consistency and clarity for our community. The Task Force will consult with members of the Laurier community and external experts as part of its process. Sub-committees (with additional support staff) can be formed to work on particular tasks as directed by the Task Force. 

1. To review the University’s existing policies, statements and practices related to academic freedom and freedom of expression.
   
   
2. To provide guidance/recommendations to clarify policies, procedures and how the university responds to issues related to academic freedom and freedom of expression.
   
   
3. To provide guidance/recommendations regarding what supports (staffing, structure, technologies, etc.) and what education would be beneficial to our community.

Meeting Protocols

The meetings of the Task Force shall be open only to members and those resources who are required to support and inform the discussion. All discussion shall take place in-camera.

A majority of the voting members shall constitute a quorum.  In the absence of quorum, informal discussion may proceed, but no motions shall be considered.

The Task Force shall strive for consensus in its decisions, but following discussion, motions may be approved through a two-thirds majority vote of those present.

Membership

Voting Members:

• Provost & Vice-President: Academic (Chair)
  • Heidi Northwood

• Faculty/Librarian members, elected by the University Faculty Council with at least one representative from each of the Brantford and Kitchener/Waterloo campuses, members from at least three Faculties, and no more than two part-time faculty/librarians
  • Evren Altinkas, Faculty of Arts (Waterloo) (CTF)
  • Brandon Mattalo, Lazaridis School of Business & Economics (Waterloo)
  • Hillary Pimlott, Faculty of Arts (Waterloo)
  • Andrew Robinson, Faculty of Liberal Arts (Brantford)
  • Akbar Saeed, Lazaridis School of Business & Economics (Brantford)
  • Steve Wilcox, Faculty of Human & Social Sciences (Brantford)
  • Anne Wilson, Faculty of Science (Waterloo)

• President, Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union
  • Ben Jesseau
• President, Wilfrid Laurier University Graduate Students’ Association
  • Taylor Coleman
• AVP: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Andrea Davis
• AVP & Dean of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
  • Brent Wolfe
• Dean Representative
  • Cynthia Johnston Turner, Faculty of Music

Non-Voting Resources & Support Staff:

• Director, Issues Management & Communications
  • Vanessa Barrasa
• AVP: Integrated Planning & Budgeting
  • John Fraser
• Executive Assistant, Office of the Provost & VP Academic
  • Jessica Blondin
• Student Union Support Staff
  • Ian Muller
• Other resource and supporting staff to be identified