MUN board of regents 'very committed' with dedicated chair but needs more accountability, says review
Student rep cited bullying, harassment from board members in fall resignation
Following allegations of bullying and harassment, a review into Memorial University's board of regents is calling the group "well-governed," "very committed," and "led by a highly professional and dedicated chair."
The board was the subject of much criticism last fall when Brittany Lennox, a student representative, resigned from her position, citing bullying and harassment from fellow board members.
Lennox told CBC News the board was "completely untransparent" about how it spends millions of dollars of public money.
"Every time I voiced my opinions, they were shot down. Sometimes I would say things that I knew were true and I was called a liar, which is gaslighting," she said in November.
The university's faculty association was also critical of the board's conduct, describing it as a powerful group of people who reject those who challenge them.
While Harriet Lewis, the author of the 65-page report released Friday, said the university is well-governed, she also says more can be done "to foster a more inclusive and accountable board culture."
"Several of the issues Ms. Lennox raised in her letter of resignation found resonance with the Regents and the University's administration who, through the vehicle of this review, sought ways to ensure that the board culture was more inclusive, open and accountable to the Memorial community and the people of the province," the report reads.
Lennox also sat on the executive of the university's students' union, something Lewis refers to as "a clear and irresolvable conflict of interest and committment."
Given that the Canadian Federation of Students has several national campaigns calling for the elimination of tuition, Lewis said Lennox would have had a difficult time serving "as an independent fiduciary."
A 'who's who' board
The report made 32 recommendations in total — including training on how to maintain a culture of respect — and gave insight into the membership of the board.
It describes members as often being the "who's who of the business, artistic and professional worlds."
Lewis wrote that academia is a world of "peer review and constant intellectual challenge," and said it should come as no surprise that presidents and provosts do not always display "softer skills" when advocating for the board.
"This strength may be felt as intimidating, particularly for an undergraduate student," she wrote, in an apparent reference to Lennox.
Students who serve on the board of regents, Lewis said, should be offered special orientation sessions, and she suggested an informal mentorship program
The report also acknowledged an ongoing push to allow for the inclusion of faculty and staff, and states the board has established a special committee to consider the matter.
Recommendations
Lewis, who spoke to 33 people for the review, was critical of Memorial University's Act. She said the document is "confusing, too focused on details more appropriate for the university as it was in its infancy … and unclear as to where real authority resides."
She also took issue with the province's delay in filling board vacancies and the timing of elections. For instance, the board delayed appointing two new student representatives, leaving Brittany Lennox as the only student on the board for most of her term.
"There were no other student voices to speak to matters of particular concern to the student body, notably tuition and budget allocation."
The report states the board was vulnerable, operating for more than a year with just 18 of its 30 possible members.
And, with an upcoming election of alumni members, it's possible that by December, the chair, chancellor, president and provost will have an entirely new board — with the exception of just two returning regents, both of whom are students.
I'm hopeful that changes will be made for the better, that we had highlighted through Brittany Lennox's release last year.- Renata Lang
Lewis said it's important to strike a balance between old and new membership, "to provide continuity in respect to the difficult issues currently facing the university and the board."
It's also suggested the university hold elections every year or two to avoid a situation in which all elected regents have to step down at the same time.
As for board meetings, Lewis said those should be more open, with fewer agenda items taking place behind closed doors.
Overwhelmed by information
Denis Mahoney, chair of the board of regents, said people who come to the board of regents can be overwhelmed by information.
"So therefore we are going to provide better orientation, better mentoring for students," he said. "We are going to provide better continuous education and learning opportunities so that we can run workshops on some of these areas of specialized topics … audit and risk, financial or capital infrastructure projects."
Renata Lang, the MUN Students' Union director of external affairs, said the union plans to have a thorough look at the review, especially for issues raised by the union or Lennox.
"I'm hopeful that changes will be made for the better, that we had highlighted through Birttany Lennox's release last year," she said.
"She did find the demeanour was intimidating by the regents, especially by the folks at the head of the room. It didn't leave an environment that was comfortable for folks to participate in."