York University refuses to take $30 million from Jim Balsillie

After eight months of foot stamping and posturing, York University has backed out of a deal to use a big chunk of Jim Balsillie’s money to fund research chairs and graduate scholarships. Balsillie’s private think tank, the Centre for International Governance Innovation, and the province each agreed to give $30 million to the university for an international law program, but the faculty at York’s Osgoode Hall law school voted against the measure, saying that it would impinge on academic freedom. Not a great few days for Balsillie, who also announced his departure from Research in Motion’s board and was the subject of an April Fool’s joke. Still, it’s probably not the worst week he’s ever had. Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »