UBC faculty vote no confidence in board over handling of president’s resignation
VANCOUVER — The University of British Columbia’s faculty association has passed a resolution of non-confidence in the institution’s board of governors amid ongoing turmoil prompted by the abrupt resignation last summer of former president Arvind Gupta.
A week-long electronic ballot closed Tuesday with 800 faculty association members voting in favour and 494 members voting against. There were 3,357 eligible voters.
Association member Kalina Christoff said while the motion has no legal impact on the board, it’s a symbolic gesture intended to send a message about the extent of the faculty’s dissatisfaction.
“Hopefully, knowing that they are operating without full agreement — and in fact with majority disagreement — on their operations is something that will generate a greater motivation for change in the way the university is run,” said Christoff, a psychology professor.