Academic Disapprobation : Calling it Like It Is

"It's symbolic. To me it's a mark of great distinction. I was very proud to get the honorary degree. The fact I'm willing to give it back to signify my discomfort with the university indicates how much my discomfort is."

"The participation of many faculty members in the encampment in defiance of university policy coupled with the lack of consequences has been, in my view, shameful. I am profoundly disappointed in my university."

"I no longer wish to have the distinction of holding a University of Toronto honorary degree."

"I do not take this action lightly since I know that since the first honorary degree was granted by the University of Toronto in 1950, an honorary degree granted by it has never been returned."

Dr. Arnold Aberman, former dean of Medicine, University of Toronto

Then-Governor General David Johnston, right, awards the Order of Canada to Arnold Aberman at Rideau Hall on Nov. 4, 2011. Photo by Chris Roussakis /QMI Agency

 

Dr. Arnold Aberman, professor emeritus, former dean, faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

In protest against the University of Toronto's handling of the anti-Israel protest encampment, the former medical school dean of the U. of T. took the unprecedented path of returning his honorary degree. His "profound disappointment" that the university administration issued no clear statement that "what's going on is unacceptable", led him to take that determined moral decision.

The enforced exclusion of "Zionists" from the encampment set up on the school's central lawn was an obvious term meant to identify "Jews", and he pointed to that in particular. "You saw the signs, anti-Zionist signs, denying entry. There's no right to stop people." 

It was "too late" after the university obtained a legal injunction against the protest several weeks into the occupation when the court-ordered deadline was imminent. "It's never too late to do the right thing. I think they should have done it earlier." Which led to his decision to return  his honorary Doctor of Laws, in his possession since 2015, in recognition of outstanding service to the university.

Serving as dean of the University of Toronto's faculty of medicine, as well as promoting relations with health-care institutions in the administration, he was, as well, a key creator of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University in Sudbury, Ontario. According to his Order of Canada citation, Dr. Aberman "contributed to the advancement of medicine for more than 30 years."

He faulted the university in his letter returning the honour, to University of Toronto President Meric Gertler for its "failure of the school to protect its Jewish and non-Jewish students". The final straw arrived for Professor Aberman when he saw a recently published online list of students and faculty identified at the encampment protest by an activist group. "I consider them antisemites", he stated.

Dr. Arnold Aberman, Convocation, 2015 Honourary U.of T. Degree  U.of T