Initial controversy over grading in PHY 4385
- 17 June 2008 transcript of meeting called under section 39.4 of the Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa Collective Agreement; attended by Dean André Lalonde and Louis Benoit (representing the administration) and Professor Denis Rancourt and Mireille Gervais (Coordinator for the Student Appeals Centre). [Download]
- Dean Lalonde stated early in the meeting that it was occuring "in the context of an enquiry that I am presently conducting with regards to teaching practices in the course physics 4385, 5100 [joint offering]." He also stated that: "I want answers to my questions. I would like to ask you questions. I'm not here to answer your questions. You are here to answer mine." Rancourt countered, however, that meetings under section 39.4 are not interrogations and only provide the Dean with an opportunity to express his concerns to the professor in question, which the latter will then have an opportunity to respond.
- 39.4.2.1: "When she has reasonable grounds to believe that a member of her faculty has committed an act or omission which constitutes cause for discipline, the dean shall promptly call the member to an informal meeting. At this informal meeting: the dean shall inform the member of her concerns and the grounds therefor; the member shall be given an opportunity to give an explanation and clear up any misunderstandings."
- Dean Lalonde did not accept Rancourt's reference to the letter of clause 39.4.2.1 and stated: "That is your interpretation of the collective agreement." The two sides could not reach agreement over the meaning of 39.4.2.1, cited above.
- 25 July 2008 letter from Mireille Gervais, Coordinator of the Student Appeals Centre, to Dean André Lalonde. [Download: French * English (translated)]
- The letter asserts that the administration and Dean Lalonde have had a poor record in responding to student complaints, yet, in the case of Professor Denis Rancourt, Dean Lalonde is using neglible complaints to aggressively pursue Rancourt. The letter asserts that the administration is waging a "campaign of harassment" against the professor.
- 22 July 2008 affidavit by Sean Kelly, Chief Steward (Francophone), Canadian Union of Public Employees local 2626 (union employed by students at the university).
- The affidavit suggests a marked difference in which complaints in Professor Rancourt's course were being handled by the administration, vis-a-vis complaints in other courses. [Download]
- All three documents listed in this section (transcript, Gervais letter, Kelly affidavit) were not included in the lengthy "Dismissal Book" of supporting documents provided to Professor Rancourt by Dean Lalonde (see below). This appears to be a violation of Collective Agreement clause 39.4.2.2: "A recommendation for suspension or dismissal shall state the reasons therefor, and be accompanied by all relevant documentation..."
University's dismissal letters and book (December 2008)
- 10 December 2008 letter from Robert Major, Vice-President Academic and Provost, to Professor Denis Rancourt stating that Rancourt is being placed on "administrative suspension" and is no longer allowed to step foot on campus. [Download]
- 10 December 2008 letter from Andre Lalonde, Dean, Faculty of Science, to Professor Denis Rancourt stating that Rancourt is being recommended for dismissal to the Board of Governors. [Download]
Rancourt's reply
- 5 January 2009 letter from Professor Denis Rancourt to Marc Jolicoeur, Chairman of the Board of Governors stating Rancourt's disagreement with the university's plan to dismiss him. [Download]
Rancourt's grievance of procedure
- 11 January 2009 grievance by Professor Denis Rancourt alleging that the administration violated collective agreement procedures in sending him the dismissal letters. [Download]
Rancourt's brief in relation to APUO Collective Agreement 13.3.3
- 23 February 2009 submission of brief by Professor Denis Rancourt to the University of Ottawa under section 13.3.3 of the Collective Agreement held by the Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa (APUO).
[Download: Dismissal Brief * Documents A * Documents B * Documents D * Documents E * Documents M * Documents R]
