Just weeks before finals, students enrolled in Erindale College’s Buddhism course were shocked to learn that they would have to finish out the semester without their instructor.

“The timing is just absurd,” said David Regan, who has tried in vain for a week to get an explanation from UTM Principal Ian Orchard.

Professor Neil McMullin, who will continue to teach graduate students at U of T’s St. George campus, was relieved of his duty at UTM for unknown reasons on Monday, Nov. 10.

McMullin has taught Buddhism for 18 years, and is known as a very popular, if not controversial teacher. According to students, he is known for cursing while lecturing, though many regard his teaching style as very engaging and stimulating.

As strange as it is for a professor to be replaced with so little time left in a course, the shroud of secrecy which surrounds the circumstances are even more bewildering. Neither Orchard, McMullin or the U of T Faculty Association would comment on the case, citing confidentiality.

Professor David G. Smith, head of UTM’s Department of Anthropology did note however, that “we have full sympathy for the students in this case.” Smith acknowledged that the timing of the decision was unfortunate, but said “the situation was such that the principal decided this should be done right away.”

According to Regan, the class has had one lecture with their new instructor, and will have only one more before the final test in the course.

“We’re still in murky waters as to what happened,” said Aurelius Rego, another student of McMullin’s. Rego notes that the class has yet to hand in their major paper, meaning 90 per cent of their grade is still up in the air. “In my opinion, it’s bullshit,” said Rego. “Professor A teaches us and Professor B is going to mark us,” he noted.

But for Regan, the situation has little to do with grade point averages. “It affects me because Neil is the best teacher I’ve ever had, and his course is the most compelling I’ve taken here,” said Regan, who specifically took the course because of McMullin. “He [Principal Orchard] seems to think educators are interchangeable. I’m interested in the perspectives that Neil brings to the classroom…another teacher is just not adequate.”

In the meantime, a petition is being circulated to retain Professor McMullin’s services at UTM. The whole situation has already had a dramatic effect on McMullin’s students, however. “I guess I realized how little my voice means here at Erindale,” lamented Regan.