A silent protest was planned for 12:30 p.m. outside where the board of governors met, but that protest evidently found its way inside and forced the meeting to end
Sean Bradyabout 22 hours ago
Protesters have interrupted a meeting of the board of governors at Thompson Rivers University, prompting chair Marilyn McLean to end the meeting.
Approximately 10 minutes into Friday's (Dec. 3) 1 p.m. meeting of the TRU board of governors, one protester could be seen standing up, calling on other protesters to also stand, and begin yelling.
At that point, board chair McLean stepped in to end the meeting.
"The meeting is being disrupted. At this point in time, I will declare this meeting suspended," McLean said before allowing governors to leave and packing up her things. The livestream ended shortly after, with protesters chanting, "No peace, no justice."
One woman, the only protester who was visible on the university's live broadcast, could be seen holding a sign that read, "Brett has the power 2 make this right," referencing TRU president Brett Fairbairn.
The board reconvened "a short time later," but the public was not allowed to attend the remainder of the board meeting, which had only covered three of its 14 agenda items before being interrupted.
That information comes from board chair McLean, who provided the following statement to KTW hours after the meeting was originally scheduled:
"This afternoon, a small group of vocal protestors interrupted the TRU Board of Governors meeting, resulting in a brief adjournment of the meeting until the board could reconvene virtually a short time later. As we were able to continue our agenda, it did not interrupt the governance and oversight the board provides the university.
"Our board is open to input from the community which is respectful and ensures everyone feels safe. The interruption meant that other members of the public could not be in attendance for the remainder of the meeting, and we are sorry for that."
A protest was planned outside the Brown Family House of Learning, where the TRU board of governors met on Friday, organized as a silent protest to begin at 12:30 p.m.
Friday's protest follows an earlier march on Nov. 29, when approximately 85 faculty and staff marched to TRU's Clock Tower building, where administration offices are located. That protest was in response to recent allegations against two top university administrators, vice-president of administration and finance Matt Milovick and associate vice-president of people and culture Larry Phillips.
Another march planned at Thompson Rivers University in wake of investigation
Two university senior executives are the subject of a complaint from a number of current and former TRU employees who allege racist, misogynist and bullying behaviours
Jessica Wallace
About 85 students and faculty took part in a march on Nov. 29, 2021, at Thompson Rivers University, calling for the university to place senior executives Matt Milovick and Larry Phillips on leave with pay while allegations of harassment are investigated. A second march is planned for Dec. 3
Another march on the Thompson Rivers University campus is being planned this week, in the wake of harassment allegations against two senior administrators.
Matt Milovick, TRU’s vice-president of finance and administration, and Larry Phillips, the university’s associate vice-president of people and culture, are the subject of a complaint from a number of current and former TRU employees.
Milovick and Phillips have been accused of racist, misogynist and bullying behaviours. The university’s board of governors is investigating the complaint and none of the allegations have been proven.
The complaint was emailed to the university on Feb. 8 of this year, but the investigation first came to light publicly when KTW reported on it on Nov. 23.
Charis Kamphuis, a law professor at TRU, is acting as the advocate for the complainants and has told KTW there are concerns about the way in which the investigation is being handled, including delays and the university not guaranteeing complainant anonymity.
On Monday, Nov. 29, about 85 faculty members and students marched between TRU’s Clock Tower building, where administration offices are located, and the Human Resources Building.
The Thompson Rivers University Faculty Association is calling for the two administrators to be placed on paid leave until the investigation wraps up. The probe is expected to be concluded in early 2022.
On Friday, Dec. 3, another march will be held on campus, this time outside of the House of Learning, where the TRU board of governors is meeting.
The silent protest will begin on at 12:30 p.m. at the north entrance of the House of Learning. The board of governors is meeting at 1 p.m.
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