Sudbury

Laurentian University student launches petition to reinstate Michael Persinger

A first-year Laurentian university student has started a petition to have a controversial professor reinstated.
Marc-André Huneault has launched a petition to reinstate Michael Persinger to teach a first-year psychology class at Laurentian University. (Marina von Stackelberg CBC)

A first-year Laurentian university student has started a petition to have a controversial professor reinstated.

Michael Persinger, PhD, was removed from teaching his first-year psychology class after he asked students to sign a waiver permitting offensive words during lectures, including profanity and homophobic slurs.

First-year student Marc-André Huneault told CBC News he started an online petition because many students in the class felt Persinger was unfairly removed.

"We pay thousands of dollars a year to make those choices, and we chose a course specifically lectured by Dr. Persinger. So, I would really like to finish the year with him."
Laurentian University professor Michael Persinger. (Marina von Stackelberg/CBC )

The university said asking students to sign a form as a condition of taking a class is against policy.

But removing the professor halfway through the course is unfair to students, said Huneault.

"I believe that we should have been consulted before they took their decision in their own hands by relieving the professor."

The class is now being taught by the chair of Laurentian's psychology department.

The petition has more than 350 signatures.

Comments

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Become a CBC Account Holder

Join the conversation  Create account

Already have an account?

now