We, the undersigned,
Express our support for the effort of Dr. Gabor Lukacs to hold the Administration of the University of Manitoba accountable. We believe that the Administration, by violating the rules which govern the granting of degrees at the University, has brought the University's academic integrity into question.
Dr. Lukacs attempted to protect academic standards at the University of Manitoba by following internal procedures. Only when his best efforts to hold the Administration internally accountable were stifled did he resort to the courts, as is the right of every citizen.
In bringing his legal action to compel the University of Manitoba to follow its own rules, Dr. Lukacs was required to disclose the name and medical condition of a student whose degree was in question. Individual privacy should not be used as a smokescreen behind which to conceal wrongdoing. Professor Lukacs agreed that the student's privacy should be protected, and cooperated in obtaining a court order that the student's name not be publicly disclosed.
This young mathematics professor - with the support of his colleagues - is fighting to uphold academic standards at The University of Manitoba. Professor Lukacs deserves to be rewarded for his principled actions. Instead, he has been suspended for months without pay.
We protest against the suspension of Professor Lukacs, and affirm that he should be reinstated immediately, with full pay.
