Robert Buckingham offered tenured role at Saskatchewan university after firing

The University of Saskatchewan says it will restore Prof. Robert Buckingham to his tenured academic position, but not to his other post as head of the School of Public Health after he was fired for speaking out against cuts and restructuring plans.

U of S president IleneBusch-Vishniactold CBC News that Buckingham should never have been fired from his tenured position, calling the dismissal "a blunder."She saidthe university is looking into how it happenedand those involved will be disciplined.

"This was not a decision made by one person.This was a decision made by my team. I am very comfortable standing here telling you it was the wrong decision," she said.

"I issue a public apology to Doctor Buckingham for putting him in the position that he felt his tenured position was threatened,"Busch-Vishniacsaid.

In a news release from earlier today, however, the university saysBuckingham will not be given back his job ashead of the university's School of Public Health.

• AS IT HAPPENS |UofS apologizes andadmits school's reputation damaged

Academic freedom and tenure are sacrosanct at the University of Saskatchewan. This case, however, is not about academic freedom,"Busch-Vishniacsaid in the release. "Dr. Buckingham was removed from his executive director position for acting contrary to the expectations of his leadership role.

Buckinghamwas fired Wednesday morning for criticizing the institution's budget cuts as part of theTransformUSrestructuring plan.

The confusion on this issue stems from differing interpretations based on his contract,"Busch-Vishniacsaid. "Because we hold tenure in high regard, we will immediately reverse that part of our initial decision.

Busch-Vishniacalso said Buckingham was not banned from the university.

'No hard feelings' says Buckingham

Today, Buckingham said he'd love to go back to the University of Saskatchewan and that he has no hard feelings towardanyone, including the university's administration.

Buckingham is unapologetic about speaking out against cost-cutting on campus.

"I should also say I have the right to disagree, even as a dean, to university policies," Buckingham said.

Buckingham has not yet spoken to university officials.

"I may not win, and I accept to lose, but at least I have the rightto say publicly, 'I disagree with this, for these reasons,'" he said.

When Buckingham showed up for work on Wednesday, he said he was met by two campus security officers. Buckingham said the university claimed he breached his contract through the letter, and irrevocably damaged his relationship with the school.

The letter Buckingham released on Tuesday was called "The Silence of the Deans."

MartinPhillipson, vice-provost, will assume the role as interim executive director until a longer-term leader can be assigned.

Province asks for emergency board meeting

Earlier Thursday, Saskatchewan Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris had demanded answers from the university about Buckingham's firing, and had sent a letter to the board of governors.

The provincial government has also requested an emergency meeting of the board of governors.

Meanwhile, Premier Brad Wall expressed his concern for the university.

"We need to make sure that institution, its reputation and its ability to operate at the highest possible standard as a whole, are protected," Wall said.

BrettFairbairn, provost and vice-president academic at the University of Saskatchewan, said in a statement issued on Wednesday that leadership positions at the institution are roles of trust and stewardship.

"It is not open to anyone to wear the hat of a leader and a non-leader simultaneously,"Fairbairnsaid in the statement.

Fairbairnsaid that being a leader includes putting the good of the organization ahead of one's own interests or views. He added that deans and other senior leaders had opportunities throughout theTransformUSprocess to raise their views in small and large group settings.