In February 2020, I had a meeting with Memorial University’s Director of Student Life, Jennifer Browne. She expressed appreciation for my activism, particularly the letters I published in various newspapers, and for my part in creating a storyboard for Judy Lynn Ford. At this time, Browne did not say anything about a troubling pattern of harassing and intimidating behavior, contrary to the allegations made by Chief Risk Officer Gregory McDougall in a subsequent complaint letter. Browne did not indicate any disapproval of my actions. I maintain that the accusations against me are unfounded, seemingly aimed at discrediting one of the university’s most outspoken critics.
In 2021, in her role as Conduct Officer, Browne took punitive action against me under the Student Code of Conduct. This resulted in a campus ban followed by a probation sentence, all stemming from my activism around tuition hikes and out-of-control administrative bloat with protesting since removed President Vianne Timmons at a media briefing.
I’ve previously written about Browne’s favoritism toward Timmons and her aspirations to advance within the university hierarchy. It now seems evident that Browne’s actions were aimed at shielding the since removed President Timmons from criticism.
See below a transcript and an audio recording:
“I do appreciate, I know I may not respond to all the emails, but there’s a number of articles that you sent me over the past year that I have appreciated. Things that I didn’t know about, some of them very historical actually that I wasn’t aware of and haven’t seen in a very long time… I think you sent me some articles with regard to the young women who had been stuck on the parkway all those years ago… Judy and, of course, I know you had a big part to play in the beautiful memory board that’s down at the pedway and stuff like that which was very nice. It was a little bit before my time, but I really loved that they had her family here and that they came and spoke. I mean, I always heard about her as a student and knew why. I’ve seen the plaque, and I had used that skywalk well right up until they took it down. To hear from her family and to hear how important her memory was being kept alive and stuff, and I know you had a big part to do with that, so some of those documents that you sent me or letters that you’ve written to various newspapers, I do appreciate that because it does keep me informed of what students are thinking or what’s important to them and stuff like that or at least what’s important to you so thank you. Don’t stop. Don’t stop sending me that information. I do find it useful… I do admire the things that you make important… that’s been my experience now… Even from the things you’ve sent me, they’ve always been connected to making situations better and making things better for students. So, I think that’s something that you should really be proud of, that I appreciate about you.”
Matt Barter is a fourth-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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