kamloopsthisweek.com | kamloopsthisweek |
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021 | Volume 34 No. 48
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About 85 students and faculty took part in a march on Monday at Thompson Rivers University, calling for the university to place senior executives Matt Milovick and Larry Phillips on leave with pay while allegations of harassment are investigated. MICHAEL POTESTIO/LJI/KTW
AMID INVESTIGATION, A CALL FOR TRU TO ACT JESSICA WALLACE STAFF REPORTER jessica@kamloopsthisweek.com
They were masked and stood in silence on the Thompson Rivers University campus on Monday afternoon, holding signs that said “We believe you,” “TRU is on stolen land” and “The power of the people is stronger than the people in power.” “It has been all-encompassing it’s-about-f—ing-time energy,” TRU student Olivia Holmes said when asked what it has like to be on campus the past week, since KTW and CBC Kamloops broke the news of an investigation into a multi-faceted complaint by at least 13 current
and former TRU staffers against two senior administrators. The university’s board of governors is investigating after TRU vice-president of finance and administration, Matt Milovick and associate vice-president of people and culture Larry Phillips were accused of actions related to racism, misogyny and bullying. On Monday, about 85 Thompson Rivers University students and faculty marched from the Clocktower Building, where administration offices are, to a locked Human Resources Building. Philosophy professor Jenna Woodrow chairs the Thompson Rivers University Faculty Association’s equity committee.
She said that, since the story broke on KTW’s website on Nov. 23, many people said they should do something as part of an appetite for justice on campus. Woodrow explained the silent march was intended to symbolize the silencing that often happens to victims. She said the turnout was more significant than anticipated. The TRUFA equity committee released a set of calls to action, including providing safety and healing for people on campus. The committee is also calling for Milovick and Phillips to be placed on paid leave, pending the results of the investigation. See COMPLAINANTS’, A16
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