Date: Wed, 23 Feb 1994 11:38:00 EDT From: Song Weaver Subject: Saskatchewan student may be expelled for Outing The Varsity 1994 02 21 pg 1 ===========begin text=========== STUDENT FACES EXPULSION FOR OUTING SASKATCHEWAN OFFICIAL by Rachel Giese, Varsity Staff A university of Saskatchewan student may face expulsion for outing a high-ranking provinical official in an art installation displayed in a student gallery. Christopher lefler, a graduate fine arts student, was suspended last November. He is facing a university disciplinary committee this month. University Vice-president Patrick Browne ahs recommended Lefler be expelled. Browne, who refuses to speak to media, explained the University's position in a letter recommeding expulsion. "Not only is material of this nature offensive, it does not constitute art in any sense of the word, and is not suitable for exhibition," he wrote. Llefler's art piece included a desk, chair, a "Day without Art" banner, and a university binder containg two letters. One, addressed to the public official and stating she is a lesbian, demands accountability to the lesbian and gay community. The other letter is the official's response to Lefler. "I felt she was hypocritical to remain in the closet. Everyone knows she is a lesbian and yet she does not use her position to fight human rights violations against lesbians or gay men or target funding for AIDS research. Her silence was killing us," says Lefler. Lefler siad he wanted the exhibit "to initiate a dialogue about notions of private and public practice." The binder and letters were removed by the university administration shortly after the exhibit opened on November 22. When Lefler attempted to replace them, he was ordered to stop. lefler has been barred from entering the campus since his suspension and has had his scholarship revoked. Browne's letter recommends Lefler be expelled on three grounds: because the University could be sued by a "third party", for the exhibit; because the letters are "a serious invasion of privacy into the private life of an individual"; and because Lefler ignored Browne's instructions not to alter the exhibit after the letters had been siezed.