Universities losing face: Sign of the times?

Naming a noteworthy building or a street after an individual is one of the most visible ways society can recognize outstanding achievements that contribute to the public good.

Institutions like hospitals and universities make similar gestures when they name wings or programs after individuals whose career dedication or financial contributions leave a legacy that benefits future generations. This type of recognition is a laudable practice that serves both to honour these fine role-models as well as to remind us all to strive for noble ideals. It can imbue public places with meaning and enrich our shared sense of history.

Unfortunately, in the case of universities, the practice shows dangerous signs of being perverted. Increasingly, universities are accepting large donations in exchange for the naming of buildings or programs and in the process honouring figures whose contribution to society is dubious at best.

In their rush to embrace the corporate culture of competition and “growth for growth’s sake”, universities are courting these cash-for-recognition donations aggressively. Instead of reserving their honours for exceptional examples of altruism or dedication, universities seem all too willing to trade their public trust away for a few large donations from questionable sources. Academic buildings and program names are offered for sale to the highest bidder with apparent little concern for the fact that under such schemes the pool of potential candidates able to “afford” to be “honoured” is heavily skewed towards a small segment within society and certainly not representative of the full-spectrum of individuals whose efforts and accomplishments ought to be celebrated.

But even more worrisome, there doesn’t appear to be close scrutiny of the benefactors and the business practices that have allowed them to make these large donations, viz. recognition purchases, in the first place. Take for instance the now infamous Radler wing at Queen’s University. Queen’s named a business wing to honour David Radler, a former alumnus and Hollinger executive, after he made a sizeable donation to the school. Subsequent to his being found guilty of financial malfeasance, Queen’s, to their credit, decided it best to return the money and withdraw the dedication. I wish I could believe the Queen’s example of accepting such monies to begin with was an aberration, but I cannot.

Recently, the University of Ottawa named an existing joint Law-MBA program in honour of alumnus Jay Hennick after he “generously” donated $500 000 to the university. Disturbingly, the university chose to retain his name and donation despite the fact that a Federal Judge of the United States National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has found Continental, a subsidiary of Hennick’s FirstService Corporation, guilty of illegally retaliating against employees trying to form a union. What kind of example does this set for our students? [as an update to readers, Continental has since been sold off by Hennick].

I find this new trend a profoundly disturbing travesty of an otherwise heartening human practice. Universities should be honouring individuals who have contributed to the betterment of society— who represent the very finest human values to emulate. I realise that federal and provincial cutbacks have been tough on universities as they attempt to deal with ever-growing attendance and fewer governmental dollars, but have we really come to the point where even a university’s good name is up for sale at the right price like some “rebranded” hockey arena? Permanent ethics committees on sponsorship, donations, and dedications, with clear guidelines and student and community representation, must become the norm and not the exception. In the meantime, inappropriate role-models and devalued degrees are no way to engender the public’s trust, quality education, or positive change.

[Marc would like to thank Evan Thornton, director of www.Uwatch.ca , for his generous editorial assistance]

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