Is Memorial University’s Chief Risk Officer Gregory McDougall ineffective in his prosecutorial role, or was he involved in a targeted operation against a specific student? An access-to-information request revealed that since January 1, 2020, McDougall has filed only one Student Code of Conduct complaint.
On December 2, 2021, following a silent protest I held against former President Vianne Timmons —who was later removed after a major scandal—the university prosecuted me through the Student Code of Conduct. It became clear that the administration weaponized the Code selectively against me, one of their most vocal critics, as subsequent protests arguably went further without repercussions under the Code.
The university justified not prosecuting student protests that occurred before mine because they said Student Code of Conduct matters are complaint-driven, so if nobody complains about a violation, no Student Code of Conduct investigation occurs. In my case, the investigator Kimberley Horwood stated in her report on February 28, 2022, “This is concerning because the Student Code of Conduct should be uniformly applied to all students.”
As I previous stated: A hallmark of unfair justice systems is that some people in society do not get prosecuted, or receive little punishment, while other people do get prosecuted, even for minor violations, and receive disproportionately harsher punishments.
In my case, Chief Risk Officer Gregory McDougall was the ‘complainant.’ Although McDougall viewed pictures of the event, he was not in attendance when my protest occurred. Throughout Memorial’s investigation of me, they have stated that the administration can undertake the Student Code of Conduct process through McDougall. Specifically, they stated, “the CRO lodged the complaint as he believed it was warranted given your actions on December 2, and he had a responsibility to step in. It is within his purview in that role to bring this complaint.”
Given that Memorial has the power to file complaints using their chief risk officer, they could have easily initiated one for the MUNSU student protest on December 2, 2022, when they presented former President Timmons with a pink slip. While it would not have been justified—their protest, like mine, was peaceful—had they done so, it would have at least signalled a willingness to apply the Student Code of Conduct equally. They could have also initiated one for the MUNSU Convocation protest on May 30, 2024, and the events during the MUN Students for Palestine’s occupation of the Arts and Administration Building.
On July 8, 2024, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Jennifer Lokash said on CBC News that they received reports from several individuals in the Memorial community who said they were experiencing “harassing behaviour,” “intimidation,” and “disruption to the workplace” by the MUN Students for Palestine protestors. Lokash said that several employees found it difficult to do their jobs to the point where they were left with no choice other than to send them home on Friday, July 5, 2024. Lokash claimed that the students chanted loudly through hallways, banged on doors, and broke a doorbell. The Student Code of Conduct has a section that prohibits property damage, among other things.
Given McDougall’s authority to initiate complaints, it is noteworthy that I was the only student to receive a complaint in over four years. Is McDougall incompetent, unable to identify and prosecute other violations, or was I specifically targeted? He was aware of public protest actions since mine. He even interacted with protestors who served a pink slip to former President Timmons and said in an email that the students acted “aggressively.”
The Student Code of Conduct states that under certain circumstances, proceedings under the Code may be initiated by the Student Conduct Officer Jennifer Browne without a written complaint. Browne, who attended the MUNSU protest at Convocation, did not act against any protests since mine, raising questions about her competence and involvement in the targeted operation.
Matt Barter is a graduate of the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, holding a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, taking walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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