MONTREAL - Nearly 200 Concordia faculty members have written an open letter to the Chairman of Concordia's Board of Governor Peter Kruyt, demanding an inquiry into the way the university is governed following the resignation of its president.
"In light of the unexplained and arbitrary dismissal of Concordia University president Judith Woodsworth, we the undersigned members of the Concordia community demand a thorough and public review of the governing structures of Concordia University, with particular attention to the constitution and the powers of the Board of Governors," the letter reads.
In the letter, the faculty members say the board has assumed the role of a "modern-day star chamber" that is "accountable and answerable to no one."
"It is an abuse of power," the letter states.
"What is particularly distressing about these dismissals and departures is that they serve to overshadow and detract from all the good things going on at Concordia University."
On Monday, Kruyt defended the role the board played in Woodsworth's sudden departure shortly before Christmas, but offered few details on why she resigned.
Kruyt said the statement by Concordia on Dec. 22 announcing Woodsworth's resignation was approved by both Woodsworth and the university, and that both sides are limited in what they can say publicly.
"I also believe that individuals should have the right to privacy," Kruyt wrote.
Critics have argued the university has failed to provide the real reason for Woodswoth's resignation, and speculation has run rampant on why she suddenly left the post midway through her term.
Concordia has stuck by its initial statement that Woodsworth stepped down for personal reasons.
But Woodsworth told CTV Montreal last week that she did not leave her position just prior to Christmas for personal reasons, but that she was asked to leave by the school's Board of Governors.
Last week, the Concordia University Faculty Association issued a strongly-worded letter last week reprimanding the school's Board of Governors executive and demanding answers on questions of governance.
