MONTREAL - For the first time since Christmas, Concordia University's Chairman of the Board of Governors Peter Kruyt faced the media -- and calls for his resignation.

"I don't walk away from a problem, and I don't walk away from a challenge," he told reporters, students and faculty. "I will fulfill my mandate and work diligently."

His comments came Friday morning before the university senate met with newly appointed interim President Frederick Lowy.

Members of the Board of Governors were expected but did not attend. They indicated in a letter that they intend to meet with the senate before April.

The senate passed a motion calling for the chairman to step down immediately.

The motion is not binding but given that the strong faculty support behind it, it's hoped Lowy will take notice and intervene.

"There's a basic lack of trust right now in the chair of the board," said professor Jason Camlot, chairman of the English department.

Camlot noted that the problem was not exclusively with the chairman, but for structural changes to occur, they needed someone new in the position.

Students and faculty said they felt demoralized and angry by the secrecy surrounding the departure of the university's previous president, Judith Woodsworth, who was asked to resign before Christmas.

Others accused the university of running the institute as a business and not as a school.

They complained of secrecy and a lack of transparency in the decision-making process.

Responding to whether or not Woodsworth's resignation was forced, Kruyt said he would not comment, citing a confidentiality agreement.

Former rector Lowy, who received his appointment after days of speculation, said the controversy shouldn't be allowed to fester.

He noted he'd returned at a time of trouble to help Concordia.

Lowy was rector and president at the university from 1995 to 2005, and is expected to hold the post for the next 12 to 18 months until another permanent candidate is selected.

He is highly regarded for steering the university in the post-Fabrikant era, and had to manage many protests when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited to speak at the school.

Lowy did not mince words when speaking on Friday, saying that many people were questioning Concordia's management.

"The problem is that as everybody knows two presidents in recent times have not completed their term but have left the university," said Lowy.

"This has now resulted in a number of faculty members and others being concerned."

As for Woodsworth, she told CTV News that she was asked to vacate her position after the board of governors decided it no longer had confidence in her.

On Thursday, Concordia University's unions and associations demanded the resignations of the chairman and four vice-chairmen of the board of governors.

Kruyt admits Woodsworth's departure has triggered questions about the university's upper levels of administration.

"These events have certainly spurred a new dialogue and discourse in this area ... and it will give us a lot more pause to think," he said.