After much consideration, and feedback from both MUNFA members and colleagues across the country, on June 7, 2021 the Executive Committee formally rejected a partnership with Navitas in a letter to Dr. Mark Abrahams, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Pro Tempore. The letter cited MUNFA’s support for the diversification of Memorial’s student body, but noted that there are continued concerns around the exploitation of International students, Academic Freedom and integrity, and the outsourcing of a core function of the University, teaching, to a private company
Despite assurances from Dr. Abrahams that senior administration would not further pursue a partnership with Navitas without the consent of MUNFA, it appears some academic units have been approached to discuss such a partnership.
Overwhelmingly, our office heard a resounding rejection of the proposal from ASMs in a range of Academic Units across the University. We encourage you to raise this issue with your colleagues and reject any such proposal as presented by the administration to your Academic Unit.
If you’d like to find other ways to oppose a possible partnership with Navitas, contact our office at membership.munfa@mun.ca.
