Vancouver Island University says they need time to assess the needs of the campus community after a vote of non-confidence was put forward calling for accountability in their leadership.
The university released a statement after the vote was held by Vancouver Island University Faculty Association (VIUFA) and the Vancouver Island University Students’ Union (VISU) Board of Directors, and says they look forward to future discussions.
“VIU respects the right of faculty, students, and staff to express their perspectives and engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of our institution,” they say.
They say the matter will be investigated to ensure the needs of everyone are being addressed before any action is taken, and they want to ensure all discussions are fair and equitable for all.
“While the vote is non-binding, VIU’s Board of Governors will assess these community concerns in alignment with the university’s governance processes,” they say. “VIU leadership remains committed to transparency, accountability, and collaborative problem-solving as we move forward.”
VIU says they won’t be commenting further until they ensure all the details have been taken care of and they’ve properly assessed the needs of students and faculty.
The call for President Deborah Saucier to resign was ignited after the Student Union passed a motion put forward asking the Board of Governors to take immediate action to restore ethical, accountable, and student-centered leadership on Feb. 21.
In an earlier interview, union director Maggie Velisek said finances have been mismanaged and this has caused students a lot of stress and anxiety about their future with the university.
“Students are struggling to access academic advising, mental health resources, and even campus facilities like the library,” she says. “At the same time, we see wasteful spending at the top with no regard for the real need of students.”
They project the university’s financial position to deteriorate further if Saucier continues at the helm of VIU, and this could force them to rely on short-term provincial funding just to meet payroll and expenses.
