TRU President Brett Fairbairn was asked about the current investigation into two senior administrators, one of which still works at the university (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

TRU INVESTIGATION

TRU President questioned about ongoing investigation into bullying, harassment by senior administrators

Feb 17, 2022 | 4:25 PM

KAMLOOPS — While the focus at TRU on Thursday was on the new Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics, the president of the university was asked about the school’s investigation into harassment, bullying and racism against two administrations.

Vice-President of Finance and Administration Matt Milovick, as well as former Vice-President of Human Resources Larry Phillips, are the focus of the board’s investigation, while Milovick continues to work at the university.

“It’s important for all of us that we respect the time it will take for the board to do investigations properly,” TRU President Brett Fairbairn media on Thursday. “We really all have to patient until we hear more.”

Fairbairn was also asked about the TRU Faculty Association’s (TRUFA) vote on non-confidence on his leadership as president and the board overall. TRUFA released on Thursday that 80 per cent of respondents don’t have faith in either party.

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Fairbairn dodged the question.

“Today is really about the excitement and the success of the business school and that’s certainly what I want to focus on,” he said. “And this is a story of everybody working together. It’s faculty, staff, students and administrative leaders in the university that have made this possible.”

Last February, about a dozen current and former employees at TRU came forward with allegations of discrimination and harassment. The allegations only went public in November.

There are allegations against both Milovick and Phillips have conducted themselves in a demeaning way to women and First Nations. Among the allegations, which have not been proven are disrespect of specific Indigenous members of TRU and sexualizing female employees with references to their appearance.