TRU responds to allegations

KAMLOOPS—Thompson Rivers University (TRU) today issued the following statement in response to as of yet, unconfirmed, and unsubstantiated allegations levelled at two senior administrators at the university.

Soon after the allegations were received via an anonymous email, an independent sub-committee was established to investigate this issue. The sub-committee which has operated at arm’s length to ensure that impartiality and objectivity are upheld, has been investigating this matter with the guidance of an independent investigator, as well as an independent Indigenous investigator, along with legal counsel.

“TRU takes such matters very seriously. The sub-committee acted quickly and went to great lengths to ensure that all these independent resources have extensive experience handling similar matters, while having no prior relationships with TRU,” said Marilyn McLean, Chair of the Board of Governors at TRU. “Furthermore, the sub-committee has worked together with the independent and Indigenous investigators, and legal counsel to put all appropriate and defensible safeguards in place for the complainants, in order to maintain the integrity of the investigation.”

Throughout this process, the sub-committee has remained fully cognizant of the need for privacy, for those against whom the allegations have been levelled, as well as for the complainants. Given the serious nature of the allegations, the sub-committee has followed, and will continue to follow, a methodical process where independent investigators gather information from complainants and follow-up with complainants to ensure the information the investigators have collected is accurate.

“At this time, these allegations need to be proven, confirmed, and substantiated. Until such time as the investigation is complete and the findings and recommendations are made, it would be unfair and unjust for any action to be taken against these individuals,” indicated McLean.

TRU is committed to having the investigation conducted in a comprehensive, objective, impartial, safe, confidential, and fair manner and within an appropriate timeframe. It is expected that the sub-committee will reach its findings in the first quarter of the New Year. However, the investigation will continue until such time as the investigators feel they have exhausted all avenues, and if required, may extend beyond the first quarter of 2022.

“While expediency is important, thoroughness is equally important, which means that the process will not be rushed if that will sacrifice or compromise the sub-committee’s ability to fully investigate these allegations,” added McLean.

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Contact:
Michelle Nordstrom
mnordstrom@tru.ca | 250-852-6264