Concerns building about B.C. university's investigation into 2 senior leaders

Staff and faculty at B.C.'s Thompson Rivers University are sharing a growing lack of confidence in how the school is handling an investigation into allegations of harassment, bullying and anti-Indigenous racism involving two senior leaders.

Matt Milovick, the university's vice-president of finance and administration, and his former subordinate Larry Phillips are accused of fostering a toxic workplace at the Kamloops university. The allegations against Phillips also include sexual harassment.

None of the allegations have been proven.

Since news broke in November about TRU's investigation into the two men, Phillips has left the school and his position as the assistant vice president of people and culture. No reason has been given for his departure.

But Milovick remains on the job, which is a key point of concern for the staff and faculty who've spoken to CBC.

Shelly Johnson, an associate professor and Canada research chair in Indigenizing higher education, said she's "incredulous" that Milovick hasn't been suspended while the investigation is underway.

"[There are] many reports and allegations of his anti-Indigenous and racist direction to his staff and comments to others. I guess for us that's most concerning, in that he remains in his position and has power and influence over his staff," she said.

People who've spoken to CBC about their experiences with Milovick and Phillips remembered encounters that suggested anti-Indigenous attitudes from both men, along with comments they described as racist.

TRU's students union, the university's faculty association, the Canadian Association of University Teachers, and both the local and national branches of the Canadian Union of Public Employees have all called for Milovick to be placed on paid leave until the investigation is complete.

Just this week, a letter to university president Brett Fairbairn from the faculty association's decolonization, reconciliation and Indigenization committee suggested that by allowing Milovick to remain on the job, the administration is creating an unsafe workplace for Indigenous employees.

At the same time, Johnson said neither the president nor the TRU board of governors have contacted Indigenous faculty to ask how they're doing.

"I don't see much responsibility or accountability to reach out to Indigenous faculty, who I can tell you are feeling quite harmed by these allegations and reports," she said.

Miloveck told CBC in November that he welcomes the opportunity to participate in the investigation into his conduct, but will not be commenting further.

Staff and faculty have stressed that good work is being done at TRU on the issues of equity, diversity, inclusiveness and decolonization.