by Robin Kenyon, Don Hubbard and Jane Gregory Recently, we have watched and read the local news regarding Vancouver Island University (VIU) and the Vancouver Island University Faculty Association’s efforts to obtain an agreement through the collective bargaining process. We are delighted with the news that a settlement has been reached allowing students to return to class and complete the semester. However, we are concerned that the issue of management rights has not been resolved, namely, the issue of who is ultimately accountable for the governance and operation of the university.
Approximately 10 years ago, many Central Vancouver Island people, including the undersigned, began the process toward university designation. Our belief was that university designation would offer more opportunity to all students and especially to those who wanted a post-secondary education but could not afford to go to Victoria or Vancouver. Part of that belief was that faculty would accept university designation without huge demands. This has proven to be a big disappointment as we can now see that their union quest for management rights is paramount in their agenda.
We do not believe taxpayers are prepared to allow organized labour to take over management control of our university. Administration must have the ability to manage the employees as well as manage the financial responsibilities of the institution. The president must remain responsible to the board of governors and not the faculty union. It would appear, from what we have read, the leadership of the faculty union has a different vision.
This disruption was not about money—there was none to bargain for. It was about union control, which would have dire financial consequences. It was about union control of a public institution and an attempt to embarrass the government over funding. The board of governors cannot give up its rights to govern. There are no winners here, only students being deprived of their dreams.
VIU is a teaching university for students to succeed and learn. It is not a place that will be run by a few faculty personnel behind a union organization. For most of the faculty members, teaching is their dream and they do that exceptionally well. For a small number of faculty members, there is an unrealistic idea that faculty should have control of the institution. If the faculty representatives want to be administrators they should apply for positions as they become available. We are very proud of the administrators who are managing VIU today and of those who have managed this fine institution for so many years. We are also very proud of the majority of VIU faculty for their passion and dedication to the university and their students. We cannot, however, say that about the leadership of the faculty’s union.
VIU belongs to the citizens and the taxpayers of British Columbia. The final evolution of the university, under the University Act and new senate governance structure, requires shared vision and shared values. The time has come for the faculty union and its leadership to recognize the evolution that is occurring and become a constructive partner in the vision, values and future of the university.
Robin Kenyon served as chair of the board of governors between 2007 and 2009; Don Hubbard served as board chair between 2005 and 2007; Jane Gregory was board chair between 1993 and 1996, and 2003 and 2005.
