Ruling finds professor's firing from Calgary university disproportionate to conduct

When it came to Widdowson's firing, Jones wrote that there was just cause for discipline based on Widdowson's conduct, but that dismissal was not an appropriate penalty.

Mount Royal University's decision to fire a controversial tenured professor in 2021 was disproportionate, even if her conduct did warrant discipline, an arbitrator has ruled.

The decision, which runs more than 300 pages, was delivered in July. It concerns 10 grievances filed by the professor, Frances Widdowson, and the Mount Royal Faculty Association, tied to Widdowson's dismissal on Dec. 20, 2021.

Mount Royal University's decision to fire a controversial tenured professor in 2021 was disproportionate, even if her conduct did warrant discipline, an arbitrator has ruled.

The decision, which runs more than 300 pages, was delivered in July. It concerns 10 grievances filed by the professor, Frances Widdowson, and the Mount Royal Faculty Association, tied to Widdowson's dismissal on Dec. 20, 2021.

When it came to Widdowson's firing, Jones wrote that there was just cause for discipline based on Widdowson's conduct, but that dismissal was not an appropriate penalty.

However, the decision states that Widdowson's continued employment with the university would not be viable for a number of reasons, including Widdowson's ongoing hostility toward the university and colleagues, witness testimony that stated her return to the university would be disruptive, and her "persistence" throughout the arbitration hearing that a number of tweets investigated did not constitute harassment.

Instead, the arbitrator suggested a monetary payment, rather than reinstatement with lesser penalties.