The Thompson Rivers University Faculty Association (TRUFA) passed a motion of non-confidence in the University leadership on February 11 over the mishandling of complaints made against two senior administrators.

More than 80 per cent of the TRUFA members who voted said they had no confidence in the leadership of university president Brett Fairbairn and Board of Governors chair Marilyn McLean.

The vote followed allegations of sexual harassment, anti-Indigenous racism, and discrimination allegations against the Vice-President of Finance and Administration, Matt Milovick, and the former Assistant Vice-President of People and Culture Larry Phillips.

At least 13 current and former university employees have filed complaints accusing the two of having fostered a toxic workplace.

TRUFA, the university’s students’ union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) have all called for the two senior leaders to be placed on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

“This is standard practice in such situations to ensure the integrity and impartiality of the investigation,” stated David Robinson, CAUT Executive Director in a letter to board chair McLean last December.

At the time of the non-confidence vote this February, Milovick was still actively working, while Phillips was no longer with the institution.