BURST
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has fired its president, but won’t say why, after his unexplained absence over several weeks.
In a statement, Erin Barnes, chair of the university board of governors, said Bruce Choy, who took over as president in September, had his employment terminated “for reasons which will remain confidential.”
The board will start looking for a new president imminently, she added.
Diane Purvey is acting president.
“We also thank KPU faculty, staff and administration for their ongoing support and for continuing to provide students with an exceptional learning experience during this time of transition.”
A note to teachers from the Surrey-based school’s faculty association last month said Choy had cancelled scheduled meetings and his official installation as president had been postponed.
Mark Diotte, the president of the Kwantlen Faculty Association, declined to comment Friday.
Earlier, he had said the university community had “received no formal communication regarding his multi-week absence or of any appointment of an acting president.”
Choy was hired in June after a survey found that two-thirds of Kwantlen’s faculty supported a vote of non-confidence in the administration under longtime president Alan Davis. Faculty cited a lack of transparency and communication, autocratic and disrespectful leadership and mismanagement, and poor planning around international enrolment.
With files from Joseph Ruttle