UBC bows to backlash by re-inviting John Furlong to give speech

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The University of British Columbia has reinstated former Vancouver Olympic CEO John Furlong as keynote speaker for a fundraising breakfast in February after facing a backlash from donors and alumni.

The decision, announced Monday, followed an apology from UBC to Mr. Furlong last week over the university's decision to extend – and then retract – its invitation: a reversal that called into question the university's procedures and became a public-relations headache for new UBC president Santa Ono.

The flip-flop also underscored the tensions that can arise when it comes to universities engaging speakers on their own behalf or sanctioning those who may be booked by other groups to speak on campus.

Gary Mason: UBC's reversal on John Furlong speech only hints at the depth of the fiasco

"I think it shows the university dithered quite a bit and initially responded to some online criticisms and disinvited, and then reinvited – it makes them look that they are pandering a little too much to immediate public opinion," said David Robinson, executive director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers.

"Our default position is that universities are places where we should have robust debates, delve into controversial issues, where issues of free speech and academic freedom reign supreme," Mr. Robinson added.

Any move to limit that freedom – whether because of a person's opinions or, in Mr. Furlong's case, allegations related to his past behaviour – should meet a "pretty high bar," he said.

UBC last year invited Mr. Furlong to speak at the February event, an annual fundraiser for UBC athletes.

On Dec. 19, UBC graduate Glynnis Kirchmeier circulated an open letter criticizing UBC for extending that invitation, citing allegations that Mr. Furlong had abused students when he was a teacher more than 40 years ago in Burns Lake, B.C.

Shortly after that, UBC withdrew its offer. On Jan. 3, after public criticism, UBC apologized, saying its decision had been made "in good faith, but without proper consideration of its potential impact on Mr. Furlong or his family."

Mr. Furlong accepted the apology and then, on Monday, UBC announced that Mr. Furlong would be reinstated as a speaker.

The abuse allegations – which Mr. Furlong has consistently and vigorously denied – came to broad public attention in a 2012 article in The Georgia Straight, a weekly newspaper.

The article set off a firestorm of media coverage and resulted in several legal actions. Mr. Furlong was never criminally charged with any offence related to any of the allegations.

Three former students had sued him alleging sexual abuse, but two of the cases were dismissed and one was dropped.

Mr. Ono was not available for an interview. But in a statement Monday, he said he wanted to correct the fundamental wrong at the heart of the issue – the cancellation of the speaking engagement.

Mr. Ono said Mr. Furlong has an extraordinary record of public service, holds an honorary UBC doctorate degree, continues to be a champion for amateur sport and is especially qualified to speak at a benefit for aspiring student athletes.

He added that the "B.C. Civil and Supreme Courts have ruled in favour of Mr. Furlong in every matter that has come before them" and "that the university had no basis to put its judgment above theirs."

Mr. Furlong also put out a statement, saying "countless Canadians" had offered support to him and his family in recent weeks.

"I respect and appreciate that President Ono and [UBC] board chair Stuart Belkin have shown decisive leadership, making a wrong decision right," Mr. Furlong said in his statement.

In a telephone interview, Ms. Kirchmeier said she was disappointed by UBC's decision to reinstate Mr. Furlong as a speaker.

"It's a public reflection of the way they treat people who make allegations," she said. "I never saw from anybody, anywhere, at UBC, a gesture toward the humanity of John Furlong's accusers."

Rusty Goepel, a UBC graduate, donor and long-time colleague and friend of Mr. Furlong's, said he contacted Mr. Belkin about his concerns over UBC cancelling Mr. Furlong's speech.

"I'm delighted with the way they [UBC] have corrected the mistake," Mr. Goepel said.