Suspended TRU professor to resume teaching in New Year

Dec 10, 2018 | 1:39 PM

KAMLOOPS — A Thompson Rivers University professor who claims he was suspended for criticizing his colleagues whose work had been published in disreputable academic journals will resume his position in January.

Both TRU and Professor Derek  Pyne confirmed he’d begin instructing again in the New Year, but Pyne says the case is far from settled.

“They claim these are ‘inappropriate, threatening or defamatory’ statements,” Pyne says of his speaking out. “I said that I would continue to speak out against their misconduct. It was a very hostile meeting with their not even denying that they were lying to my face.”

TRU hasn’t confirmed any details from the meeting, only stating that Pyne will return to teaching in January.

“I can’t get into the specific details or conversations that may or may not have occurred with an employee,” TRU communications director Darshan Lindsay says in an email statement. 

Pyne told CFJC Today earlier this year that he had initially been banned from campus on the basis of what was explained as mental health concerns, and was suspended for criticizing his colleagues. TRU has said in the past they cannot comment on the cause of Pyne’s suspension.

Pyne says he will be returning full time.