The University of French Ontario (UOF) rejected the recommendations of the Harrison report on Wednesday, believing that they demonstrate a “profound incomprehension and significant bias” towards the establishment. In the document released last week, a group of experts expressed concern about the financial viability of the institution, as well as that of the University of Hearst.
“The three options that you propose are inadmissible,” reacted in writing the rector of the UOF, Pierre Ouellette. “They in no way take into account the principle of governance “by and for” French-speakers. »
In the report, the experts, who “doubt[nt] strong that the UOF and the University of Hearst can continue to operate effectively as independent and financially viable establishments”, propose three options, including a federation with other French-speaking or bilingual establishments in the province.
Mr. Ouellette is not closed to collaboration, he specifies, recalling that the two institutions in question proposed, “already two years ago, the creation of a Network of French Ontario Universities” to “share courses and programs” and “facilitate student mobility”, in particular. “At this point, the proposal is still on the table. »
The former rector of the University of Hearst, however, criticizes the experts for not having given “the time for the UOF to take off, especially since it has just seen the light of day”. “It takes sustained efforts to establish a tradition of university studies in French in the Greater Toronto Area and in Central and Southwestern Ontario,” he adds, maintaining that the establishment is actively working towards its expansion.
A new baccalaureate in education program was offered at the start of the school year. A bachelor’s degree in mental health and social work have been submitted to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. The UOF also welcomes the opening of the first Observatory on Francophone Immigration in Canada, at the beginning of the month.
“The lack of understanding and rigor of the report on the situation of French-speaking universities, as well as the lack of objectivity towards them, are disappointing given the importance of the mandate entrusted to the group of experts,” denounces Mr. Ouellette, indicating that he had “serious reservations with regard to the findings drawn”.
He therefore asks the group of experts to “remove the section on the French education system from your report, or at least to correct the erroneous facts.” “This lack of objectivity undermines the credibility of the report. »
As highlighted earlier this week in the article from Duty, the experts did not indicate the correct number of students at the establishment. According to the report, “29” people are registered with the UOF. There are in reality “226”, according to the university, which adds that “about half” of them are Canadian, contrary to what experts say, affirming that they are “overwhelmingly foreign”. .
This report is supported by the Local Journalism Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada.