MUN's board of regents chair being investigated over emails reportedly sent to former student's father

The chair of Memorial University's board of regents is under investigation by the university over an email reportedly sent to the father of a former student.

Becky Winsor says she emailed the board as part of a campaign supporting pro-Palestinian protesters on MUN's campus and was stunned when board chair Glenn Barnes forwarded it to her father, adding, "This is personally intrusive and insulting to a volunteer board!"

"I was very shocked that when I found out that the man appointed to lead the body in charge of university affairs would forward my e-mail to my father," said Winsor. 

"Anybody can e-mail any of the members of the board of regents with any issues that they think are important. So I think it's important that the board actually spend time listening to those who want to reach out to them."

Winsor says her father replied to Barnes's email to say it wasn't appropriate to email him instead of contacting her directly. 

Barnes responded in another email, saying he and other board members had received more than 100 such emails. "I am telling parents that I know just what their kids are doing," he wrote. "They need to grow up." 

Winsor is 35 and has three degrees from MUN.

In a statement, MUN communications manager Chad Pelly declined to comment other than to say the matter is under investigation. 

Barnes also declined an interview request. In a statement forwarded by Pelley, Barnes said, "Potential privacy breach matters are investigated pursuant to a university process. I am committed to participating in the investigative process and will not be speaking publicly on this matter."

A group called MUN Students for Palestine have been protesting on the university's campus since May, including an occupation of the university's arts and administration building that was broken up by police in early July. 

The email sent by Winsor was pre-written and could be sent to the board by filling out a form on the website for the Newfoundland and Labrador branch of the Canadian Federation of Students. The email urges the board to call an emergency meeting to address MUN's investment in entities "implicated in the genocide of Gaza." 

"I'm a mother of two boys, and I just kept thinking about the suffering of the Palestinian children I was seeing on social media every day," said Winsor. "I just didn't want MUN or any part, to be perceived as having a part in the harm that's being inflicted on these kids."

Winsor said Barnes's response violates the board of regents' code of conduct, which states, "Members are expected to respect the confidentiality of any materials provided as part of their duties as a member of the board."

"I think it's completely out of line," said Winsor, "I definitely would like, you know, to see something. An apology would be a start. But … I think removal from the board or as chairperson is also a possibility that I would be open to."