MEDIA RELEASE: Presidential Search Process

Students disgusted at semi-closed Presidential Search process, lack of transparency in decision-making

On Friday, November 15, students were shocked to see the announcement in the Gazette of a ‘hybrid’ search process for the Presidential Search Committee. For months, Memorial University administration and the search committee have been emphasizing the necessity of the presidential search process to be as open and transparent as possible. Students, faculty, and the university community as a whole have been very clear that as open a search as possible was expected to ensure transparency and collegial governance.

The announcement in the Gazette outlined a plan to include select representative groups in a closed space to have discussions with the finalist candidates. This approach is extremely closed off compared to the Dean and Vice President Searches, where finalist candidates are announced publicly, and asked to give public presentations so that the entire university community can be involved in the process of selecting leaders for the University.

This comes as a significant concern following the closed hiring process that resulted in Dr. Vianne Timmons being hired as President. The lack of transparency and collegial governance during this process was a concern brought forward by multiple unions at the time, and was part of MUNFA’s demands during their strike in 2023.

This lack of transparency compared to other searches at the University is a sign of the University’s continued refusal to listen to students, faculty, on-campus unions, and the university community as a whole. “There’s no reason all students should be deprived of access to information that will directly affect them and their peers for years to come,” Devon Budden, MUNSU Director of Advocacy stated.

MUNSU continues to call for transparency and openness in the presidential search process and for more student representation in decision-making spaces.

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MUNSU can be reached for comment via resource@munsu.ca or (709) 864-7633.