Ralph Stern, the dean of the faculty of architecture at the University of Manitoba in Canada, resigned1 last week following the publication of a damning report by the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT). Accused of contributing to the creation of a “culture of fear and retribution,” Dean Stern has faced controversy since assuming the post in 2010, with repeated complaints lodged from both colleagues and students.

The CAUT report detailed the rapid turnover of personnel within the department. Over the course of Dean Stern’s tenure, three different department heads passed through, two of them leaving with documented grievances directed at Stern. In particular, former head of the department Nat Chard wrote in a published letter, “My sole reason for leaving the University of Manitoba was the behaviour of the Dean, who established a culture of fear within the faculty and appeared only to try to find problems with the department, despite its peer reviewed success. It was clear that it was not possible to work to one’s capacity in either teaching or research under the Dean’s regime and therefore a completely unsatisfying place to work.” Chard’s letter continues with details on the effects this had on his personal life.

• 1. The dean of the faculty of architecture at the University of Manitoba announced today that he will not be seeking reappointment when his term ends this year. The news comes after a scathing Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) report recommending that Dean Ralph Stern be terminated from any administrative or supervisory role within the faculty of architecture.

  “I have given my decision careful consideration and believe this is the best course of action for me personally and professionally,” Stern said in a statement released earlier today.

  “[...] I allowed my name to stand for reappointment and did so trusting the University of Manitoba’s processes, which I consider to be fair and professional. However, a number of elements, internal and external to the faculty of architecture, have attempted to undermine the University of Manitoba processes. In my opinion, their actions have jeopardized the reputation of the faculty and the success of our students.”

  The U of M administration refused to comment directly on Stern’s decision when contacted by theManitoban. John Danakas, executive director of marketing and communications at the U of M said that president David Barnard stands by his statement earlier this month regarding the CAUT report.

  “At the University of Manitoba we have internal processes where concerns of the type expressed in this report can be brought forward, investigated, and resolved. Those processes, unlike that used by CAUT, are fair, balanced and have the ability to collect and weigh complete information,” Barnard said in the statement.

  “The CAUT committee’s work not only ignores these processes, it interferes with them.”

  Source: The Manitoban