Let’s hear some Moore of that story
Bu Bill Phillips
Maybe it’s time we heard from James Moore.
Other than a few comments way back when the UNBC board of governors named him chancellor of the university, the former federal cabinet minister has been pretty quiet about the controversial appointment. And, it seems like the controversy isn’t going to abate any time soon.
Just last week the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA BC) and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) joined the fray, calling for the university board of governors to reverse its decision.
They say that “after careful consideration of the University Act,” the board of governors didn’t consult enough with the UNBC senate before making the decision to appoint Moore. That may be, but the primary reason behind the furore of Moore’s appointment is still that he was a high-ranking cabinet minister during the years Stephen Harper was our prime minister and that government was known for muzzling scientists, among other shenanigans. Simply being a duly-elected cabinet minister in a duly-elected (OK, that one might not fly), isn’t a good enough reason to rescind the appointment, so the consultation charge is being pushed.
The two associations are also concerned that the university picked Moore because they wanted some “friendly” with the provincial Liberal government.
Whatever the reason, right or wrong, this controversy simply isn’t going to go away.
Last week, Board of Governor’s Chair Ryan Matheson was busy defending the decision.
“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,” he said in an e-mail to the university community.
He also extolled some of Moore’s accomplishments while in office, 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 it is the job of Matheson and the board of governors to defend their decision, it’s time the community heard from Moore. What does he think of all this controversy? How does he plan to tackle the job of chancellor? What does he think he can bring to the university? Why should the community at large support him in this role?
When this foofaraw began, the board of governors likely felt that they could weather the storm and the controversy would go away in time.
That doesn’t appear to be happening.
The problem the board now faces is that if this controversy hasn’t been dealt with, one way or another, by May, the convocation ceremonies will become a sideshow. Moore will be here to be officially installed as chancellor and if things aren’t resolved, those ceremonies will marred with this controversy. That doesn’t serve anyone, especially the students who will be graduating and for whom the ceremonies are actually for.
If Moore came up for a bit of a public relations tour prior to May, it might go a long ways towards convincing the community he’s worthy of the job.
Bill Phillips is a freelance columnist living in Prince George. He was the winner of the 2009 Best Editorial award at the British Columbia/Yukon Community Newspaper Association’s Ma Murray awards, in 2007 he won the association’s Best Columnist award. In 2004, he placed third in the Canadian Community Newspaper best columnist category and, in 2003, placed second. He can be reached at billphillips1@mac.com
Comments
Perhaps that’s why we haven’t heard much from him: he’s not worthy of the job and probably knows it.
What would be the chances that he could be appointed the chancellor of Trinity college ? Would his lack of a moral compass preclude that ? I think so . Never mind the rest of the story . Thank goodness for him the bible thumpers have no power in the north .
Oh the tantrum up the hill. Those self important bigots. Maybe VanAndrichem saw the writing on the wall and that is why he bailed from the well paying cushy job.
This issue is in fact DEAD. Moore is the Chancellor. None of those opposed to Moore would have had the gonads to raise any concerns when Peter Bentley was appointed Chancellor, nor would they have said a word about the other chancellor appointments.
This issue is really a carry over from the last election, and is being driven by the anti Conservative group. It is strictly political and has no place in the University. Especially when you consider that all those opposed are basically faculty, or faculty associations, or some students.
Moore doesn’t have to explain himself, nor do the Board of Governors, anymore than the previous appointments had to explain themselves.
Small things amuse small minds.
Have a nice day.
Not so pal . It’s getting much worse . #unbc . August foi is posted there . Ms. ( suncor) Wosley . This is one heck of a can of worms .
That’s MS. Wolsey . Still that’s suncor on the BoG . Strange days for a so called green university . On the other hand unbc is becoming famous all across the country . Not the kind of fame that is needed though .
“Just last week the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA BC) and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) joined the fray, calling for the university board of governors to reverse its decision.”
One would think that those associations’ opinions carry some weight! It does appear to me (my opinion) that it is indeed a political issue fomented by some disappointed and disgruntled Conservatives.
Princegeorge you should read the latest foi ( freedom of information ) posted on Twitter #unbc . You’ll think your reading about some banana republic but you’re not , it really is this dirty in canada . No shame , no morals and no accountability .
UNBC is a little University on a hill in the middle of nowhere. It has some serious problems with enrolments, and finance. The last thing it needs is this stupid issue of who should be Chancellor.
There is a total lack of sophistication surrounding this issue. One could go so far as to say it is lacking in adult thinking and content.
You would only have this type of an issue in a small (provincial town)
**Provincial** Region outside a Capital City of a Country. Especially when regarded as unsophisticated or narrow minded.
Have a nice day.
Posted on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 @ 12:09 PM by Palopu
“You would only have this type of an issue in a small (provincial town”
=========================
Not so, such childish, intolerant tantrums occur frequently whenever the left notices that one, not of their ilk, “trespasses” on what they consider to be their own sacred domain.
Pal this is an issue that affects all of us in the north . Unbc belongs not to this political élite but to all of us . It doesn’t even belong to PG . Our kids from Haida Gwaii to lower post and well beyond go to our unbc . Our tax dollars being spent at the unbc makes us all stake holders . It’s been high jacked by Clark and suncor . I really think it our business . Our kids deserve better . They need leadership , not corruption.
Ataloss. Get a life. This area lived for 100 years without this University and all the attendant BS, and if it shut down to-morrow it would hardly be missed.
Time to quit making a mountain out of a mole hill. This is NOT an issue that requires any time attached to it. It is a NON issue, always has been, and is kept alive by those who are paid by tax dollars to do some work and who would rather further their political agenda.
I can pretty well guarantee you that 65000 people in Prince George are not even aware of this issue, and of the other 6000 who are aware, most could care less.
So, time to move on.
If you are concerned about the University, then spend some time on trying to get enrolments up, and get the Government to change how Universities are funded. If you could do that then you would be doing something worth while.
I spent too many years at UNBC, first as a student and then later as an employee. The management up there are completely irresponsible in their planning, decision making, and their treatment of faculty and staff. They act with impunity and have no fear of anyone questioning them. The taxpayers deserve much better than this.
But UNBC have turned out some good graduates, in spite of the mess that they have gotten themselves into.
Palapou: “This area lived for 100 years without this University and all the attendant BS, and if it shut down to-morrow it would hardly be missed.”
Wow, you’ve said some odd things before, but if you think PG can lose all the jobs at UNBC and money that flows into town with students, you’re truly out of touch. Care to rephrase your comment?
On the other hand, I do agree that the way post-secondary education is funded in BC needs to be overhauled. There is little rhyme or reason and no obvious vision for the future of this great province.
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