15 September 2009
Dear President Runte:
We the undersigned faculty members call on you to waive Carleton University’s charge of $ 4,910.00 to Ben Saifer of Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA), for his request of July 7, 2009 under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Openness and transparency are in Carleton’s (and the public’s) best interest when there are concerns about the suppression of free speech, the targeting of students according to their political beliefs, and the detrimental impact of lobby groups on core university values. The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal has accepted a complaint by SAIA Carleton that alleges discriminatory treatment by Carleton’s administration. We are concerned that charging a student such a prohibitive fee creates a financial barrier to SAIA receiving a fair hearing, which in turn has serious ramifications for the integrity of our institution. By offering the requested material promptly, graciously and without charge, Carleton can alleviate those concerns.
We look forward to receiving your response to our request as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Nahla Abdo
Hugh Armstrong
Tara Ashtakala
Josh Beer
Behnam Behnia
Manfred Bienefeld
Andrew Brook
Doris Buss
Nicholas Carrier
George Chouchani
Wally Clement
Eros Corazza
David Dean
Andrea Doucet
Aaron Doyle
Jennifer Evans
Linda Freeman
Patrizia Gentile
Dianne George
Marvin Glass
Root Gorelick
Peter Gose
Beth Hughes
Alan Hunt
Shereen Ismael
Sukeshi Kamra
Jared Keil
Paul Keen
Kirsten Kozolanka
Barbara Leckie
Susan Lee
Colleen Lundy
Rashmi Luther
Rianne Mahon
Diana Majury
Egla Martinez-Salazar
Jody Mason
Maeve McMahon
Lisa Mills
Amina Mire
Perryhan Moustafa
Julie Murray
Augustine Park
Donna Patrick
Justin Paulson
Jen Pylypa
Trevor Purvis
George Rigakos
Cristina Rojas
Nandini Sarma
Chitra Sekhar
Janet Siltanen
Bill Skidmore
Frances Slaney
Daiva Stasiulis
Donald Swartz
Rania Tfaily
Sarah Todd
Brenda Vellino
Rosemary Warskett
Robert West
Melanie White
Martha Wiebe
Diana Young
