Once again, we have a case of the University of Saskatchewan undervaluing and under-funding the Arts and Sciences college, and specifically the Philosophy Department.

The Social and Political Philosophy Professor is a position of great importance to the Philosophy Department.

• It is essential for students pursuing undergraduate degrees in philosophy, as one of the key areas of any philosophy program is Social and Political Phil.
• It is also essential for our school to continue to offer a Justice, Ethics, and Law Certificate, which dozens of students pursue every year.
• Our Graduate Program relies heavily on the Social and Political Philosophy Professor, and it may be in danger of falling apart without someone holding the position.

The Philosophy Department has been trying to get this position filled for 10 years. Finally, last Fall, the Dean approved the recruitment. So, they did the Job Search and made a recommendation that has been supported by the Dean. But now, despite having previously approved of the Job Search, the central administration will not make any appointments to colleges that are running a deficit.

• Faculty members have spent 100’s of hours for this job search
• Thousands of dollars were spent to do the job search
• Dr. Pierre-Francios Noppen was the official recommendations from faculty and students, suggesting him as the best candidate for this position

Long story short, the school approved the position, approved the search for it, and after hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars, the VP of Faculty Relations, Ken Wilson, is refusing to approve this appointment to our beloved Dr. Pierre-Francois Noppen.

The VP of Faculty Relations, Ken Wilson, is endangering the entirety of the Philosophy Department and the many programs and classes that they offer by refusing to approve the appointment of Dr. Pierre-Francois Noppen to the Social and Political Philosophy Tenure.