Board of Governors Chair Defends Moore Appointment
Prince George, B.C. – More news out of UNBC regarding the appointment of former UNBC graduate and ex-Conservative MP James Moore as the school’s sixth chancellor.
This time it’s Board of Governor’s Chair Ryan Matheson explaining to the university community via email why Moore is a suitable choice after faculty and staff expressed their opposition during last week’s Board meeting (see previous story here).
In it, Matheson says despite opposition to Moore’s appointment, the decision has also received its fair share of support:
“While we have heard the objections, we have also heard from leaders across all areas, including alumni, faculty, students, government, and business, who have applauded and support this appointment,” the email reads.
Matheson then lists many of Moore’s accomplishments as an example of why he makes a good choice, including:
– the fact Moore is the youngest MP ever elected in BC and the youngest cabinet minister in this province’s history
– his accomplishments while an MP, including being “a driving force behind the creation of the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, a tri-agency initiative of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council” while Industry Minister
– that he “championed a number of other initiatives” including Canada’s role in space exploration and research
– that while Heritage Minister he established two national museums, the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg
– that Moore voted in favour of same-sex marriage in 2005, one of only a few in the Conservative caucus to do so
Matheson also addresses the chancellor selection process as laid out in the University Act and says it was followed by the Board though he acknowledges “dissatisfaction with the selection process” and pledges to “revisit the selection process for future Chancellors.”
However Stephen Rader, president of UNBC’s Faculty Association, feels the Board of Governors has now “boxed themselves into a corner” with the appointment and says the onus is on Moore himself to step down.
“I think if he were really acting in the best interests of the university as he claims to be, that he would withdraw his nomination, he would say I can see this is causing more problems than it’s worth and I’m going to withdraw.”
If Moore doesn’t step down, he fears it will lead to an awkward convocation later this year.
“I can certainly imagine there would be people who stay away from the convocation. There might be protests at the convocation which is just going to distract from what should be a celebration of the students successes and achievements.”
In addition, Rader doesn’t buy Matheson’s claim Moore’s appointment has widespread support.
For example he points to recent surveys by both the school’s undergraduate and graduate societies which he says demonstrated “overwhelming opposition to this appointment.”
And though neither faculty nor alumni have been surveyed on the matter, he says “comments we’ve been hearing have been running strongly against Moore.”
Comments
– that while Heritage Minister he established two national museums, the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. NOT SO . The Winnipeg museum is a private museum . What he and Stevie did was to gift them 25 million of our dollars . The FN were not very happy with being excluded from it . I guess some peoples human rights are moore important than others .
So let’s all just jump up and down and stomp our feet like spoiled toddlers until we get our way.
I vote for Moore doing the right thing and resign. Oh wait, politicians don’t do that, do they!
He also DID NOT establish the immigration museum either . It was already there . What he and Stevie did was gift them 25 million dollars of our money . It also looks like a private entity . I would be surprised if it weren’t . It is also glaringly biased . History revisionism is hard at work in the private sector with the help of our money .
Pretty bad when the head of a University can even fact check his own words .
The immigration museum was established in 1999 a full year before Moore got into politics . Justifying your support with the use of falsehoods just erodes what little credibility you have left Ryan .
Ataloss about the immigration museum, check the date
It became an immigration museum in 1999. Pier 21 is Canada’s last remaining ocean immigration shed. The facility is often compared to Ellis Island (1892-1954), an association it shares with the immigration station at Grosse Isle, Quebec (1832-1932). It officially became a National Museum of Canada in 2011.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Museum_of_Immigration_at_Pier_21
Now about the Museum for Human rights, it is a national museum not a private museum
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is a national museum in Winnipeg, Manitoba, located adjacent to The Forks. The purpose of the museum is to “explore the subject of human rights with a special but not exclusive reference to Canada, in order to enhance the public’s understanding of human rights, to promote respect for others and to encourage reflection and dialogue.”[5] It held its opening ceremonies on 19 September 2014.[6]
Established in 2008 through the enactment of Bill C-42, an amendment of the Canadian Museums Act,[7] the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is the first new national museum created in Canada since 1967, and it is the first new national museum ever to be located outside the National Capital Region
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Museum_of_Immigration_at_Pier_21
The natives where upset at least you got that part right.
This has become a Non-Issue. Moore will be the Chancellor for sometime into the future. Pick up your crying towels and go home.
Why would Stephen Rader, president of UNBC’s Faculty Association have a place in this story other than being another left wing s-hit disturber. The head of maintenance up there is more important to the running of the university than Rader and I’m sure he’s doesn’t give a rats*** who the chancellor is.
More likely the media per usual supporting the lefties.
Edited for language
To me it seems most media sources, particularly in the North, are right-leaning. If Moore’s appointment has widespread support as Ryan Matheson claims, these people need to speak up. Otherwise I can’t see this issue going away. I commented a while back that I met Moore once at UNBC and thought little of him and his politics. That said, I don’t care who the chancellor is. I’m getting sick of hearing about this. Moore needs to do the right thing. Step down. When was the last time he was in Prince George? Will he spend any time here? Isn’t there a local alumni with similar or better credentials?
So let’s start a university – and try to differentiate if from the hordes of other universities. Say I’m looking for a marketing edge – and I choose to be a green university. So now I’m trying to sell something to skeptical millennials. Say the hope that they can do ‘the right thing’. Be better than their parents at say ‘Taking care of the enviroment’. That sounds good. Looks good. Even Macleans buys in. Any then we get Moore to be chancellor…. any buyers? Stupidity so profound it hurts.
Seamutt, you just owned ataloss the tool. you would think he would just fade away with his constant bs.
Politicians shouldn’t be given any credit for spending our money and that appears to be all that James Moore has done with his life. If Moore is to be given credit for a select few actions, then he should also be blamed for the blunders as well. You can’t have it both ways.
James Moore isn’t the only politician to have been chosen as UNBC Chancellor, but he is the only candidate who has been so reviled by such a broad selection of people. Iona Campagnolo was supported by almost everyone. There is little very goodwill for James Moore so it’s time for the BoG to do the right thing for UNBC. End it now.
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