Come visit Montreal

Visiting faculty and postdoc fellowships at CREUM.

CREUM - 2008-2009 Senior fellowship programme

The University of Montreal’s Centre de recherche en éthique (CREUM) is inviting applications of professor-researchers in ethics, for residential fellowships which can vary in length according to individual circumstances. Applicants are expected to have at least a working knowledge of French.

The CREUM will offer to its fellows: a research grant up to 40,000$ CAN, an individual office, access to the services of the University of Montreal (libraries, sports center, etc.), and assistance for material organization of the stay. In return, the fellows are expected to pursue the research project submitted in their application, to participate in the Center's activities (conferences, seminars, lectures), and to present their work in progress in the context of Center's seminars and workshops. Application deadline: April 30th, 2008. For more information, please visit www.creum.umontreal.ca

CREUM - 2008-2009 Postdoctoral fellowship program

The University of Montreal’s Centre de recherche en éthique (CREUM) is inviting applications of postdoctoral researchers in ethics, for residential fellowships which can vary in length according to individual circumstances (maximum 27,000 $ CAN). Applicants are expected to have at least a working knowledge of French.

The CREUM will offer to its fellows: a postdoctoral grant of 3,000$ per month, an individual workstation, access to the services of the University of Montreal (libraries, sports center, etc.), and assistance for material organisation of the stay. In return, the fellows are expected to pursue the research project submitted in their application, to participate in the Center's activities (conferences, seminars, lectures), and to present their work in progress in the context of Center's seminars and workshops. Application deadline: April 30th, 2008. For more information, please visit www.creum.umontreal.ca.

Good news, bad news

The good news is that someone thought to do this.

The bad news is how desperately McGill needs it-- and how unlikely I fear it is that any reforms will actually happen as a consequence.

Cut the red tape contest

Can you identify a policy or process at McGill that has, or appears to have, no sound academic or administrative justification and that impairs service to current or prospective students?

Do you have an idea that we can implement to resolve the issue you have identified? What would work best for you? How would you like to see it resolved?

Send us your suggestions by February 22, 2008. The 10 best entries, judged on impact, cost/benefit, and innovation, received by that date will win $100 each.

While we may not be able to do away with all of the red tape on campus, we will bring the issues you submit to the attention of the responsible unit and report back to contestants about what progress we can make.

"No sound academic or administrative justification" is a demanding standard. It's the equivalent of asking for laws that would fail rational basis review in a U.S. court.

I expect there to be at least dozens of viable entries.

New discoveries of old political science truths

Chris Bowers on superdelegates:

If the institution that exists to resolve disputes within the American center-left does not operate according to democratic principles, then I see no reason to continue participating within that institution. If that institution fails to respect democratic principles in its most important internal contest of all--nominating an individual for President of the United States--then I will quit the Democratic Party. And yes, I am perfectly serious about this. If someone is nominated for POTUS from the Democratic Party despite another candidate receiving more poplar support from Democratic primary voters and caucus goers, I will resign as local precinct captain, resign my seat on the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee, immediately cease all fundraising for all Democrats, refuse to endorse the Democratic "nominee" for any office, and otherwise disengage from the Democratic Party through all available means of doing so.

Robert Michel's "Iron Law of Oligarchy," formulated in 1911 in reponse to his dismayed discovery that socialist parties including the German Social Democratic Party were not much different in their internal organizations and power structures from other parties:

"Who says organization, says oligarchy."