Memorial University’s obstinate refusal to disclose the roster of decision-makers responsible for slapping a campus ban on me is an egregious affront to transparency and accountability within the institution.
In a disturbing twist of events, it came to light that Memorial University has been peddling conflicting narratives regarding the authority behind the imposition of interim measures against me. While initially pointing fingers at Jennifer Browne, a subsequent email from General Counsel Scott Worsfold, dated June 7, 2022, suggested a broader decision-making process involving several individuals.
Demanding clarity, a request for access to information was filed on January 16, 2024, seeking a list of all the parties involved in the decision taken on December 3, 2021. Memorial’s response on January 30, 2024, brazenly rebuffed the request, asserting they were devoid of any such list. This flippant dismissal flies in the face of past practices where the university, lacking preexisting records, readily curated lists to cater to requests.
Furthermore, Memorial had the audacity to point out that I’ve previously submitted ten requests on the matter and purportedly possess records concerning the decision to impose interim measures on me. However, the records provided, consisting of email correspondences, did not include the decision-makers. Moreover, Memorial University’s judicial review brief, dated December 22, 2022, attempted to undermine my claim of the involvement of Chief Risk Officer Gregory McDougall in imposing interim sanctions.
On January 31, 2024, another access-to-information request was filed. This time, it pertained to an email on December 4, 2021, by Executive Director Michelle Snow on behalf of the now-deposed President Vianne Timmons. The email stated that a Student Code of Conduct complaint had been made against an individual student due to “concerning and escalating behaviour,” alongside the implementation of interim measures, including restricted access to campus. The email unequivocally asserted that such measures were the product of deliberation involving various departments, including Student Life, Risk Management, and General Counsel.
Timmons’ email glaringly exposes the involvement of several individuals in the decision-making process, with explicit mention of Risk Management, a domain falling under the purview of the Chief Risk Officer.
The stubborn refusal to divulge information regarding the decision-makers not only casts doubt on fairness and due process but also serves as a damning indictment of Memorial University’s commitment to integrity. It is downright unjust for the Complainant, Chief Risk Officer Gregory McDougall, to wield influence in the decision to mete out interim punishment. I was subjected to severe repercussions before any semblance of a formal investigation transpired, flagrantly trampling upon the sacrosanct principle of procedural fairness. Such blatant disregard for accountability and fairness cannot go unchallenged.
See below Timmons’s December 4, 2021, correspondence to the Board of Regents:
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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