Dr. Ian Sutherland - Mount Allison University's 16th President - Is He A Fan of Free Speech Online?

 More here:  Q&A with Mount Allison's 16th President and Vice-Chancellor | Mount Allison

"You are one of the youngest university presidents in Canada at 44 and Mount Allison’s first queer President. Tell me what this means to you to be here at this point in your career and the importance of representation for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at the highest level of leadership."  [Your sexual orientation is not what defines you Ian.. BUT your lack of transparency may be something that defines your efforts in our town.]

Celebrating history of Canada's Grace Annie Lockhart on campus at the "Gracie's Cafe".. more here:

Grace Annie Lockhart | The Canadian Encyclopedia

As much as we are all asked to celebrate and welcome Dr. Ian Sutherland to Mount Allison University we are also required to demand of him the highest standards when it comes to upholding free speech and freedom on the campus and off the campus and to that end we request that he not discontinue the use of the "Mount Allison University official Twitter".  As a young and queer leader in the academic community you have an obligation to keep the public interractions with the campus and the broader community open and cordial... rather than shut down opportunities to build bridges and have radical collaborations.

NOT EVERYONE IS USING THE FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM PLATFORMS AND AS A LOCAL BLOGGER SINCE 2011 IN THIS TOWN I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS ON THIS TOPIC WITH OTHERS OVER A FRIENDLY CUP OF COFFEE.  FACE TO FACE CONVERSATIONS ARE STILL VALUABLE.. YOU WILL ALWAYS FIND COMMON GROUND.. IF IN FACT THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE SEEKING.

Ian does use Instagram: [private settings]

Ian Sutherland (@iandamonsutherland) • Instagram photos and videos

Fresh Ideas for New President of Mount Allison University Dr. Ian Sutherland

 

Would a gift shop in the Arts Centre on campus help support local university artists and stimulate interest locally in the arts and Mount Allison University? I recall asking Arts Prof. Eric Edson years ago why this new beautiful facility doesn't have a small gift shop to sell the artwork of the students and perhaps some coffee/tea as well as it would be a great addition and a financial assistance for these campus students.  Student-run cafe/shop and they could gain valuable entrepreneurial experience in sales, commerce, promotion, outreach and public relations.  Sackvillians as a group are a friendly bunch... and its a great town.  Who wouldn't enjoy the addition of more opportunity and enterprise.. a chance for the public to come in, peruse and buy... art cards, art work, and crafts locally created?  Perhaps its my good idea that will take root.  It would help more people in need here.  Students are very talented and wonderfully creative but they do need support and attention as they must feel like they are living in a little bit of an "island" culturally here.  Things to think on....

Photography featured from THE Indie Media Eastcoast... based in Sackville New Brunswick.

Do we see Ian Sutherland on Twitter? Not sure..