York University has fired a staff member that helped reveal possible fraud at the school, a move that probably won’t reflect well on the institution. The Toronto Star reports that the university “abruptly dismissed Ken Tooby,” who was one of the early whistleblowers on potential fraud dating back to 2009. Although both Tooby and a York spokesperson refused to comment on the situation, this can’t be good for the school’s reputation—news of whistleblowers being canned or otherwise harassed never helped anyone. With all the other negative news surrounding the university lately, it’s beginning to seem as if the school only makes headlines for something frightening, sad, horrible or otherwise controversial. In other words, if there’s bad news about a Canadian university, it’s probably about York. Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »
Insider intel on the politics and personalities shaping the city. Sign up for Preview newsletter for weekly updates
York University cans whistleblower, likely damaging its reputation just a little bit more
Popular
Most Commented
- Jan Wong: Why the LCBO—the antiquated, paternalistic monopoly that’s deliberately gouging us—has got to go 51
- All-Beef Party: Toronto’s 25 best burgers ranked in order of heart-stopping, messy magnificence 41
- Introducing: Lamesa, a contemporary spin on traditional Filipino cooking on Queen West 39
- Introducing: The Bristol Yard, a bit of Britain down by Christie Pits 22
- Joanne Kates to leave the Globe after 38 years (UPDATED) 22
4 Comments
Comment on this post
Neither the author nor Toronto Life necessarily agrees with the comments posted here. Editors will not correct spelling or grammar. Toronto Life reserves the right to edit or delete comments entirely. Read our full policy
The above posting reads more like a collection of casual observations than solid journalism based in fact.
Citing secondary sources, not its own, Toronto Life lumps together random stories, painting an entire university community with a damning brush. York questions the validity of this reporting. Does Toronto Life only publish negative news? Surely not.
So let’s set the record straight. York U is a great news story. York is Canada’s leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university. With all the positive news surrounding York, it routinely makes headlines for something cutting edge inspiring heart-warming, out of this world or otherwise best-in-class. In other words, if there is good news about a Canadian university, it’s probably about York. Get the entire story – told by York U students – here.
October 25, 2011 at 4:55 pm | by Wallace Pidgeon, Director of Media Relations, York UniversityKeep interested in York, it’s a dysfunctional workplace that needs to be torn open and rebuilt. There is more to this story then has hit the press.
October 25, 2011 at 7:14 pm | by Pallace WidgeonWay to spin it Wallace. At least come up with something a bit more creative than that tired old tag line. The reality is that York was a dysfunctional bureaucracy that morphed into a toxic bureaucracy several years ago thanks to the “ex-administrator” who was subject of the various investigation (but still somehow managed to depart toting a quarter million dollar golden handshake and a letter saying York would cover the costs of court-ordered damages awarded to his victims) and his numerous champions and cheerleaders in the senior administration. Even now that the cat’s outta the bag, they’re still spinning and dancing and bobbing and weaving. Please do a google search for the phrase “normalization of deviance” and you will have some insight into what has happened around you.
October 25, 2011 at 11:07 pm | by Been There Got the T-ShirtThe cluster that is York as been a huge albatross around my neck for too many years and I don’t even work there..I am all for equal opportunity but their backasswards way of doing things was getting old..But there is hope..Power to the people, the aslumn staff have finally started to take back cntrol from the inmates as they have just proven by setting this rather large one free….
October 26, 2011 at 8:33 pm | by L. F. Y. Today