Jim Balsillie bashes York University (and shows he’s a sore loser) in the Globe and Mail

Woe betide anyone who refuses Jim Balsillie’s largesse—the former Research in Motion exec penned an op-ed in today’s Globe and Mail lambasting York University for rejecting his $30-million donation. Balsillie put up the money (which was matched by the province) to fund research chairs and graduate scholarships for an international law program, but after months of delays, York law faculty voted against taking the cash, citing academic freedom issues (cue “research not in motion” jokes). Balsillie insists he and his think tank totally “ ‘get’ academic integrity” and accused the faculty of academic myopia. In this case, he writes, “old-think, coupled with an unrealistic sense of entitlement to public moneys, was preferred to innovation and opportunity.” Pretty harsh words, but he’s got reason to be crabby—seven Ontario universities just accepted a deal for up to $175 million in research money from IBM. That’s got to hurt. Read the entire story [Globe and Mail] »