Students weigh in on UNBC Chancellor controversy

Arguments against UNBC’s new chancellor are growing since the controversial appointment of former Conservative MP James Moore.

Staff and students have been speaking out, with a petition for a reversal that has garnered more than 1800 signatures.

While faculty and students involved in school politics haven’t shied away from speaking out, a survey of random students found many have their minds elsewhere…

The bulk of students asked didn’t know much about the situation, but we received some of the following responses:

“I haven’t really been paying attention, I have my finals coming up, and I need to focus on studies.”- Nick

“Basically people don’t know much about it. There’s petitions online and posters around the school that they don’t want him as chancellor, though.” – Carlene

“From the little I’ve read, I’d say I feel quite sympathetic towards the opposition of his appointment.” – Raghu

“I don’t know. Maybe on principle it’s good to hate conservatives,” joked Trent, ‘We’ll have to wait and see what he does.”

“I don’t think it’s a critical issue, but it’s one people want addressed,” added Josh.

Many are worried Moore’s background with the conservative party is a conflict of interest with UNBC and it’s policies.

“I didn’t know very much about what the chancellor does in the first place, so I did a little online research to look at the position,” explains Eliza. “It says a big part of their role is to represent the school. I do, in a sense, have some worries about him being appointed. Our professor is very passionate about the topic, so he informed us of his standpoint.”

The most common criticisms from the appointment rise from the accusations that conservatives have muzzled scientists, closed government libraries, and stoked anti-Muslim attitudes, in short, going against much of what a green, science-based school stands for.

Eric says a lot of the fuss comes down to process and principle.

“Regardless of what ends up happening, it’s another example of people who should be involved being left out. That’s what needs to be rectified. I know there are a lot of people with a vested interest in the topic who were not consulted, and that’s what matters to me. It’s just like fair election.”