The summer is almost over and with bated breath we wait for move in day. Once again, the forecast is for another fine day for the new students and their families and friends to arrive.

This summer has been unusually busy for everyone, I think. I know that it has been for me. What started as a journey to Africa with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) in May, resulted in being invited back to Botswana courtesy of the Government of Botswana. I have been helping the Tertiary Education Council develop the concept of the new university in Botswana known as the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST). The project is very exciting and I have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the BIUST Council on behalf of WUSC to offer help as the new university develops. There will be opportunities for students, faculty and staff at Guelph to be involved in working with BIUST.

Both traveling through Africa, a continent torn by strife, poverty and disease and thinking about how to develop a new university has provided a unique opportunity to reflect on what is special about universities and particularly universities in Canada. It made me think about how important freedom of expression is and that no matter what the problem or issue there are always two sides to any debate and conflict. One of the many luxuries that we can enjoy in Canada is the right to express our opinions free from influence, bias and discrimination and this right should be extended to everyone. That privilege is very special and it demands a willingness to engage in open debate and to appreciate that there are many sides to an argument. We all have a duty to defend the right to these freedoms but also a responsibility to acknowledge that for each view along one path, there is always a view in the opposite direction. The only way that humanity can chart a course through these differing opinions is to engage in free and open debate.

We are very fortunate in Canada to live in a society that welcomes open debate. We need to celebrate that fortune by speaking out in defence of such rights, but we also have to understand there is always more than one side to an argument and to be respectful of the ideas of others.

I look forward to the start of term. Every September, the arrival of the new students heralds a renewal of the commitment to the values of education and we all need to appreciate the fortunate position we have in Canada and in Canadian society.